Virginia Republicans have proven over and over again that they don’t care about women. They consistently vote against common sense bills that would help Virginia women access the health care they need, mandate equal pay for equal work, and require employers to provide paid sick days. Republicans are out to protect rich white men, to the exclusion of everyone else.
The Republican candidates for statewide office this year couldn’t make that more clear.
1. The GOP candidate for Attorney General thinks the right to access an abortion is “questionable.”
First, we have John Adams running for Attorney General—a lawyer who has said that Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that gives women the right to access abortion, is “really questionable.” He even went so far as to go to the Supreme Court twice to fight against women’s access to birth control and abortion, including in the infamous Hobby Lobby case. But he didn’t do it because he had clients who were paying him to (which still wouldn’t be acceptable) but he did it FOR FREE in his spare time because that’s how much he cares about making it more difficult for women to access birth control and make decisions about their bodies.
2. The GOP candidate for Lieutenant Governor wants to force women to have transvaginal ultrasounds. Ouch.
But what about Jill Vogel, who is running for Lieutenant Governor? She’s a woman, so she must be good!
Sadly, no.
As a state senator, Jill Vogel introduced a bill to force women to have a mandatory ultrasound before having an abortion. And not just a regular ultrasound. Because abortions usually occur so early in pregnancy, the only kind of ultrasound that works is a transvaginal ultrasound—a highly invasive procedure that requires inserting a large ultrasound wand into a woman’s vagina.
What?! No.
Women who have made the decision to have an abortion should not be forced to undergo unnecessary medical procedures as punishment for making decisions Jill Vogel doesn’t like. If she was willing to go this far as a state senator, what will she do as Lieutenant Governor? I am 100 percent not interested in finding out.
3. Ed Gillespie, the Republican candidate for Governor wants to ban abortion. Really.
What about Ed Gillespie, the Republican candidate for Governor? His own words make it pretty clear. He said in a debate that he “would like to see abortion be banned.” That’s a pretty clear statement against women accessing the healthcare they need.
Vote for candidates who actually support women on November 7.
Over the last four years, we’ve had a governor who has been incredibly supportive of women and their rights. He has been there to stand up for Virginia women and ready with a veto when conservatives in the General Assembly pass anti-woman bills. As a woman, I want that protection in the Governor’s mansion to continue in 2018. So when I vote on November 7, I know I won’t be voting for anyone who has explicitly said they don’t support me and the other women in my community.