The Trump-Pence administration didn’t let up and the Minnesota state legislature attacked the right to safe, legal abortion and stood in the way of progress on access to contraception, but in 2018 Planned Parenthood supporters resisted, persisted, and voted. Victories in Minnesota were powered by YOU—women, people of color, LGBTQ people, Planned Parenthood patients, and young people—who stepped up, took action, and made change. Because of you, we’re starting 2019 stronger than ever.
Getting Informed
120 volunteers packed our two Reproductive Rights Town Halls to hear from their representatives about the Minnesota Legislative Session, led by some of Minnesota’s fiercest Planned Parenthood champions Minority Leader Melissa Hortman, Representatives Laurie Pryor, Jamie Becker-Finn, Erin Maye Quade, Erin Murphy, and Senator Sandy Pappas.
And you didn’t stop there. At event after event, in ways big and small, you showed up and spoke out for reproductive rights and Planned Parenthood patients.
Standing in Solidarity
You joined 1,500 fellow supporters at Solidarity Day 2018 in Saint Paul to reject shame and stigma and march in solidarity with Planned Parenthood patients because everyone deserves high-quality, affordable health care and accurate information.
You didn’t settle for solidarity though, you channeled your energy into action and created meaningful change.
Fighting Back
Dozens of activists stood outside of heavily-restricted, ticketed town hall events held by then-Congressmen Jason Lewis (MN-02) and Erik Paulsen (MN-03) to make sure their representatives couldn’t deny the overwhelming support for Planned Parenthood in their districts. That’s right, they stood outside, because most of them weren’t allowed in. Both Lewis and Paulsen were unseated by pro-Planned Parenthood candidates Angie Craig (MN-02) and Dean Phillips (MN-03) in the 2018 midterm elections, in big part because of the 128,655 voters reached through phone calls and door knocks in those districts.
And that’s just one example of how fiercely committed supporters made their voices heard, loud and clear, in support of Planned Parenthood.
Getting Ready
37 Planned Parenthood Action Fund volunteers from Minnesota journeyed to Power of Pink in Detroit, the largest grassroots training that Planned Parenthood Action Fund has ever hosted to learn how to help elect reproductive health champions in 2018. AND THEY DID.
Mobilizing Voters
Volunteers in Minnesota contacted 30,673 voters about the 2018 midterm elections and helped fuel record-breaking voter turnout at the polls.
Electing Champions
Minnesota voters elected pro-Planned Parenthood champions up and down the ballot, with 70 out of 93 Planned Parenthood Action Fund endorsed candidates winning their races. Out of those 93 races, our dedicated supporters helped us pour resources into 22 electoral races—and we won 20 of those 22—underscoring the undeniable impact that dedicated volunteers have on election outcomes.
Minnesota voters elected Tina Smith and re-elected of Amy Klobuchar to the U.S. Senate, elected Angie Craig (MN-02) and Ilhan Omar (MN-05) and re-elected Betty McCollum (MN-04) to Congress, elected Planned Parenthood champions Tim Walz for Governor and Peggy Flanagan for Lieutenant Governor, and took back the state House of Representatives.
Take Action, Make Change
2018 was a historic year, but our work doesn't end there. We're bracing for a slew of attacks from the Trump-Pence administration on our bodies, rights, and access to care—and we need you with us to keep up the fight. So get ready to take action, make change, and continue standing strong for reproductive rights and Planned Parenthood patients. Here's how you can make a difference in 2019.
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