November 6, 2018 — Today, Minnesotans made history in electing reproductive health care champion and Planned Parenthood alum, Tina Smith, to the U.S. Senate. Throughout her campaign, Sen. Smith consistently referenced her time working for Planned Parenthood because she knows the people of Minnesota want to see Planned Parenthood patients supported in Washington. One in five Minnesota women have relied on Planned Parenthood for care at some point in their lives and most Minnesotans support Planned Parenthood’s work.
The Action Fund played a critical role in getting out the vote for Senator Smith and other pro-women’s health candidates. The Action Fund ran its most extensive electoral program ever to mobilize young women voters and it paid off for the people of Minnesota. The Action Fund’s two-million-dollar program reached hundreds of thousands of voters in-person, online, and by phone to talk about what was at stake for women in this historic election.
Statement from Sarah Stoesz, President of the Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund:
“On behalf of the whole Planned Parenthood family, I want to congratulate Tina Smith on her historic election to the U.S. Senate. Sen. Smith has spent her life standing up for women and girls and fighting to expand health care for all Minnesotans.”
“From her leadership as a Vice President at Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota to her work fighting for paid family leave when she was Minnesota’s lieutenant governor, Smith has long been a champion for women and families. Sen. Smith’s win marks the first time in recent history a former Planned Parenthood employee has been elected to the U.S. Senate, and Minnesotans could not have picked a better candidate for the job.”
“Throughout this election, Smith proudly highlighted her work with Planned Parenthood and stood by the 71,000 Minnesotans who receive care in Planned Parenthood clinics across the state each year. At Planned Parenthood Action Fund, we are overwhelmed with pride for Sen. Smith—she is the senator Minnesotans need and deserve.”
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Founded in 1992, the Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization. As the advocacy and electoral arm of PPMNS, we mobilize supporters of all parties to defend and increase access to family planning services and fact based, medically accurate sexuality education. We work to inspire and engage citizens to take up the cause of reproductive health and rights through education, electoral activity, grassroots organizing and legislative advocacy.
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