In 2013, we learned that protecting access to reproductive health care, including abortions was going to become a municipal issue across the country. Thankfully, voters in the City of Albuquerque stood strong in opposition to a ballot measure that would have restricted access to abortion within the city limits. This was a bold and hard-fought victory to maintain the ability of New Mexico families to make their own reproductive health care decisions without government interference.
Because of that ballot initiative in the multitude of other attacks on reproductive health care including abortion, Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico made the decision to endorse candidates in the city elections in Albuquerque in 2017.
Nov. 14th's municipal election proved once again that New Mexicans believe strongly in protecting access to crucial care. We are excited and proud that two Planned Parenthood Champions, Cynthia Borrego and Tim Keller, won their races for City Council and Mayor respectively.
Tim Keller has been a champion for reproductive health care since being in the New Mexico State Senate, and he proudly led the effort to bring attention to the backlog of untested rape kits in New Mexico. We are confident that Tim Keller will continue to take the issues of reproductive and sexual health care as core values to the mayor's office in Albuquerque!
Cynthia Borrego is well poised to defend access to Planned Parenthood services, and reproductive health care in Albuquerque. Cynthia has proudly stated that she relied on Planned Parenthood for health care when she was young, and is very aware of the barriers to care in today's world. We are glad we can count on her vote on the city council to protect and expand access whenever possible.
It has been roughly one year since a national election that was both outraging and heartbreaking for many of us, so we are excited to celebrate these victories! As we have always known access to personal reproductive health care decisions are a core value of New Mexico communities, and we will continue to defend those at every turn!
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