Abortion Rights Win In Virginia  

PPAV-endorsed candidates won key races to secure abortion rights majorities in Virginia General Assembly

RICHMOND, VA  - Today, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia-endorsed candidates won in key races across the Commonwealth. Abortion was a dominating issue this cycle and these champions campaigned on blocking any attempts to ban abortion in Virginia. Tonight’s election results are a critical first step towards a constitutional amendment protecting reproductive freedom.

Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Action Fund

“One thing is clear: Virginians understood the assignment. By sending pro-reproductive rights majorities to the Commonwealth’s senate and house, Virginians voted to keep in check an overzealous Governor Glenn Youngkin, who’s said he’d happily sign any anti-abortion legislation that comes across his desk. Tonight, Planned Parenthood Action Fund celebrates the voters and advocates that helped to prevent anti-abortion politicians from gaining a trifecta — sending a resounding message that they want the power to make decisions about their own bodies, lives, and futures.”

Statement from Jamie Lockhart, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia:

“Today proved that when abortion rights are on the ballot, reproductive freedom wins. Virginians loudly proclaimed their support for abortion rights champions, electing pro-reproductive rights majorities in the State Senate and House of Delegates. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia-endorsed candidates unapologetically made abortion a central issue and voters responded with a clear message: They don’t want an abortion ban in Virginia.

Voters were not fooled by the GOP’s attempt to rebrand their extreme anti-abortion agenda or distracted by their disingenuous tactics. Anti-abortion candidates tried everything to win. Candidates scrubbed their anti-abortion views from their websites, only expressed their true desires to ban abortion when caught on undercover videos, and sent deceitful mailers denying their plans. But voters saw through their lies and rejected their radical agenda.

This is a critical victory for health care access and the future of abortion rights in our commonwealth. We look forward to working with all of our allies in the General Assembly who will boldly champion Virginians’ reproductive freedom next legislative session.”

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Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia (PPAV) is a statewide advocacy organization whose mission is to preserve and broaden access to reproductive health care through legislation, public education, electoral activity and litigation in the Commonwealth of Virginia. PPAV works to ensure that individuals and families have the freedom, information, and ability to make their own informed reproductive choices. 

Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy, and limited electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education.