NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia Celebrates Election Victories
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 7, 2007 NARAL Pro-Choice VIRGINIA Celebrates Pro-Choice Election Victories (Alexandria, VA) Today, NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia, Virginia’s largest statewide organization dedicated solely to reproductive choice, celebrated the victories of pro-choice candidates across the state—wins that resulted in pro-choice leadership in the state Senate and key pro-choice gains in the House of Delegates. The pro-choice gains included John Miller in the 1st Senate District, George Barker in the 39th Senate District, Ralph Northam in the 6th Senate District, Joe Bouchard in the 83rd House District, Paul Nichols in the 51st House District, and Margi Vanderhye in the 34th House District. Overall, 49 candidates endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia won their races, or 84 percent of the endorsed candidates. "This shift will not only help us protect access to abortion services in Virginia," said Jessica Bearden, Deputy Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia, "but it will allow us to pursue commonsense legislation, such as increasing access to birth control and emergency contraception, that will prevent unintended pregnancies and reduce the need for abortion.“ NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia has thousands of activists and members throughout the state. Their efforts to turn out pro-choice voters included sending 3500 pieces of direct mail and 3650 endorsement letters, phoning over 1400 pro-choice voters, and contacting over 1650 activists by email to remind them to vote. Reproductive rights played an important role in this year’s election, with many pro-choice candidates highlighting their opponent’s opposition to abortion and even some forms of contraception. “Virginians have rejected the out of touch policies of anti-choice lawmakers in Richmond,” said Bearden. “Now it is time to get down to the business of improving access to reproductive health services for the women of Virginia." Contact: Jessica Bearden, 571-201-2575 ###
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