Progress Virginia Calls On DNC To Withhold Support From Anti-Woman Lawmakers and Candidates

Progress Virginia Calls On DNC To Withhold Support From Anti-Woman Lawmakers and Candidates

Washington, DC—Progress Virginia is joining 17 other Progress Now affiliates in calling on the Democratic National Committee to withdraw support from any candidate or lawmaker who does not support reproductive freedom and justice.

Supporting women and reproductive rights, including abortion access, is a long-term priority for the Democratic Party, and the DNC cannot and should not compromise on it in order to make short-term gains. Pandering to those who support anti-abortion laws that hurt families and shame women undermines our integrity, alienates women, and diminishes the standing of the Democratic party and its explicitly pro-abortion platform.

“Reproductive freedom has been under attack in this country, but we are here to say that enough is enough. Supporting abortion rights and reproductive health is not just a ‘woman’s issue.’ It’s an economic issue, a housing issue, and an equity issue. It impacts everything we do, and it can not and should not be used as a bargaining chip,” Anna Scholl, Executive Director of Progress Virginia, said. “In Virginia, we’ve seen time and again that voters overwhelmingly support candidates who run on a platform of supporting women’s reproductive rights and abortion access. We encourage members of the DNC to follow Virginia’s lead and only support candidates who strongly support reproductive rights and freedom for all.”

Yesterday, over 300 people from across the commonwealth came to Richmond to lobby their legislators on behalf of the Women’s Equality Coalition to support issues like reproductive freedom, economic opportunity, and voting rights. They kicked off the day with a rally celebrating the 45th anniversary of the historic Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade and were joined by Governor Ralph Northam, Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax, and Attorney General Mark Herring. All three elected officials attributed their recent election wins to the power of women and the fact that they ran strongly pro-woman campaigns.

In November 2017, progressive candidates in Virginia won all three statewide offices and gained 15 House of Delegates seats by running on a pro-woman, pro-reproductive rights platform. As can be seen from the election results, the majority of Americans are pro-choice and support abortion access. According to a recent study from Pew, 85% of Democratic women support abortion in all or nearly all cases. It’s our responsibility as leaders in the progressive movement to stand up for our values and hold each other accountable. Progress Now is a national network of 21 state affiliates dedicated to lifting up progressive voices and running a year-round, multi-issue progressive campaign. Progress Virginia is a member of the Progress Now network.