Planned Parenthood Political Advocacy Groups Endorse Montana’s John Lewis for Congress
For Immediate Release: March 7, 2014
Planned Parenthood Political Advocacy Groups Endorse
Montana’s John Lewis for Congress
WASHINGTON, DC—Planned Parenthood Action Fund and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana announced today the joint endorsement of John Lewis for Congress. Planned Parenthood Action Fund is the national advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana is the statewide advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood of Montana. Lewis, a strong supporter of women’s health and rights, is running against a crowded Republican field to replace Representative Steve Daines.
“Planned Parenthood Action Fund is proud to endorse John Lewis for Congress,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund. “John Lewis understands that health care decisions should be left between a woman and her doctor and will be an important ally in Washington. He will work to protect access to quality, affordable health care to ensure all Americans, no matter where they live, or how much money they have, are able to get the care they need, when they need it.”
“For the past eighteen years, Montana’s lone Congressional seat has been occupied by out-of-touch politicians dead set on turning back the clock on women’s health and privacy rights. Montanans are ready for leaders that want to move our state, our country and our economy forward. That’s why we proudly stand with Planned Parenthood Action Fund in endorsing John Lewis for Congress,” said Stacey Anderson, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana.
“While some politicians in Congress continue to attack women’s health and rights, the voters in Montana can count on John Lewis to stand with them here at home and in Washington. As a leading women’s health advocate across the state, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana is uniquely positioned to talk to voters about these issues. Women listen and trust us when we share information about where the candidates stand on issues important to their health care,” Anderson states.
Last week, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund announced the Women are Watching (WAW) campaign to educate voters about candidates’ positions on women’s health. Over the last several years, Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations have become a powerful and effective force by educating voters about where their candidates stand on women’s health issues. The majority of Americans believe that a women and her doctor, not politicians, should be making health care decisions.
- Polling from the 2012 election shows that access to safe and legal abortion, affordable birth control, and basic health care access are motivating voting issues for women, who view them as core economic issues for their families. An overwhelming majority of women voters trust Planned Parenthood political and advocacy organizations when they speak out about issues affecting the health of women.
- A 2012 post-election report from the Sunlight Foundation on big winners and losers found that the Action Fund had a 98 percent return on investment — having supported 12 winning candidates and opposed 12 losing candidates.