Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund PAC Endorses Mayor Joyce Craig
For Immediate Release: Oct. 14, 2021
Manchester, NH - Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund PAC has endorsed Mayor Joyce Craig, the first female mayor of Manchester, in her re-election campaign. Mayor Craig’s consistent support of inclusive reproductive rights and health care, through opposing the Title X gag rule, supporting patient safety at the PPNNE Manchester health center, and supporting Medicaid expansion, positions her squarely to continue to lead New Hampshire’s largest, and most diverse, city.
Manchester is home to Planned Parenthood of Northern New England’s flagship New Hampshire health center; the non-profit organization has been providing reproductive and sexual health care and education to patients from every neighborhood in the city for decades.
The decision to endorse Mayor Craig was made by the organization’s political action committee advisory group after reviewing statements, votes, and the leadership records of the two candidates on issues of reproductive health and safety, education, and access to care.
Quote from Skip Small, Chair of the Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund’s PAC advisory group:
“Mayor Craig has spent her time in office working towards our shared goal of a healthier Manchester - where all residents, no matter who they are, where they’re from, or how they identify - have access to affordable health care, can exercise their rights, and live in a safe community. Since taking office, Mayor Craig has proven herself a champion for all in her community, including women, lower-income people, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people. She has worked to improve the health, safety, and inclusivity of her community and she should be re-elected to another term to continue the progress she has made.”
Quote from Dr. Lydia Garcia, Planned Parenthood NH Action Fund PAC advisory group member:
“At a time when state and national politicians are attacking access to reproductive care and targeting vulnerable communities, Mayor Craig is the leader we count on to respect women and marginalized communities and protect the health, safety, and basic human rights of all Manchester residents.”
Background Information:
Mayor Craig was one of the first elected officials to oppose the Title X gag rule because of the threat it posed to health care access for Manchester’s Planned Parenthood patients. She signed a letter with 75 other mayors nationwide in opposition to the Title X gag rule. She has made it clear that she will oppose funding cuts to the organization because she understands the importance of access to essential health care services, including contraception and STD testing and treatment, regardless of income or zip code.
Mayor Craig also supports the safety of patients and providers by supporting New Hampshire’s Buffer Zone law. Now, more than ever, we must prioritize safety in our communities. Mayor Craig understands that a partnership between the public safety officials and the health center is critical for patients and that additional tools, such as implementing the buffer zone law, may be necessary for ensuring that patients and providers have a small area of separation from protesters for their privacy and safety when accessing reproductive health centers.
Mayor Craig supported and advocated for Medicaid expansion, which extended health care coverage to an additional 50,000 Granite Staters. Mayor Craig has dedicated her time in office to creating a more welcoming and inclusive city.
She is the first mayor to raise the LGBTQ+ pride flag at Manchester City Hall and has been an outspoken advocate for women, LGBTQ+ people, low-income people, people of color, and other underserved populations.
In contrast, Mayor Craig’s opponent, former state representative Victoria Sullivan, actively worked to strip away reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ rights while in office. Sullivan:
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Attempted to defund Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, risking health care access for its nearly 10,000 New Hampshire patients.
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Opposed SB 421, a law that increases access to birth control.
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Supported conversion therapy, the dangerous, pseudoscientific practice of trying to change someone’s sexual orientation.
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Spearheaded efforts to ban medically accurate, timely sex education from New Hampshire schools.
Joyce Craig is a mother of three and a lifelong resident of Manchester, who will continue fighting to ensure all residents of the Queen City can lead healthy, safe, and fulfilling lives. Manchester is home to Planned Parenthood of Northern New England’s flagship health center, which served nearly 5,000 patients in 2020, specializing in sexual and reproductive health and education. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England also offers specialized care for LGBTQ patients, including hormonal therapy for transgender patients.
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Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund (PPNHAF) is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England in New Hampshire. The Action Fund engages in educational and electoral activity, including voter education, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy. Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund PAC is the political committee operated within PPNHAF which makes candidate endorsements and gives financial contributions directly to candidates.