Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic Announces 2020 Primary Candidate Endorsements

Contact: Susanna Birdsong, (919) 740-0861, [email protected]

RALEIGH, N.C. — A week before the start of early voting in the NC primary, Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic (PPVSAT) announces their first slate of endorsed pro-reproductive health candidates in the 2020 election.

This is the organization’s first round of endorsements in the 2020 election cycle and includes pro-reproductive health candidates facing primary challenges as well as endorsements of statewide incumbent leaders. Topping this list are Governor Roy Cooper and Attorney General Josh Stein who have been fierce defenders of reproductive freedom since being elected to their respective offices in 2016.

The stakes have never been higher for access to comprehensive reproductive health care in North Carolina. We know that more than three-fourths of voters believe abortion should remain safe and legal. Yet politicians intent on overturning Roe v. Wade have been emboldened by recent appointments to the U.S. Supreme Court, and – in the last year alone - have passed draconian abortion bans in several states. These are blatant attempts to overturn Roe and criminalize abortion.

“Now more than ever, we need leaders in North Carolina who will ensure that no matter what happens at the federal level, access to reproductive health care, including abortion, is protected in our state,” said Susanna Birdsong, Director of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. “That begins with electing candidates who will stand strong for policies that protect reproductive health care— and who will stand up to politicians who have for too long ignored the will of the people by restricting access to basic health care.”

North Carolinians want to see greater access to healthcare, and not less. While anti-abortion bills are deeply unpopular nationwide, expanding Medicaid to cover low-income people has long been a popular, common-sense policy change that would also provide economic benefit to the state. PPVSAT’s endorsed candidates have not only pledged to work to roll back unnecessary and restrictive abortion laws, but to also expand Medicaid and access to health care for all.

“We are proud to endorse candidates who will put the health and well-being of North Carolina’s residents first,” said Alison Kiser, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic. “PPVSAT endorsed candidates can be counted on to stand up against extreme anti-abortion bills, while also taking proactive steps to expand access to health care and medically-accurate sexual health education. Our job in 2020 is to make sure North Carolina voters know who will protect reproductive health and rights in our state into the next decade and beyond.”

PPVSAT is the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic (PPSAT), engaging in voter education, lobbying work and advocating for public policies that will protect and expand access to the range of reproductive health services and education programs PPSAT provides in nine health centers throughout the state.

Additional endorsements will be added on a rolling basis at the website linked below throughout the 2020 election cycle.

Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic Endorsed Candidates in the 2020 Primary Election:

*indicates PPVSAT previously endorsed incumbents

NC Council of State

Roy Cooper – Governor*

Josh Stein – Attorney General*

Elaine Marshall – Secretary of State*

Jenna Wadsworth – Commissioner of Agriculture

NC Senate

Allen Wellons (SD-11)

Mujtaba Mohammed (SD-38)*

NC House Districts

Jean Farmer-Butterfield (HD-24)*

Rosa Gill (HD-33)*

Frances Jackson (HD-45)

Verla Insko (HD-56)*

Evelyn Terry (HD-71)*

Elisabeth Motsinger (HD-75)

Aimy Steele (HD-82)

Becky Carney (HD-102)*

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Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic (PPVSAT) is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. Fortifying our commitment to protect women’s health, educate teens, and prevent unintended pregnancies, PPVSAT engages in educational and electoral activity, including public education campaigns, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy.