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Press Release
NARAL Pro-Choice America Endorses Slate of Reproductive Freedom Champions for Michigan Legislature
For Immediate Release: Friday, September 18, 2020
Contact: [email protected]
Forty Michigan House Candidates Earn Endorsement from Nation’s Leading Pro-Choice Advocacy Group
Michigan — NARAL Pro-Choice America today announced its endorsement of 40 candidates in the Michigan House of Representatives ahead of the November 3rd general election.
The slate includes 22 total candidates seeking to flip seats currently held by anti-choice, anti-freedom Republicans, part of NARAL’s ongoing efforts to flip Michigan’s House in order to reflect the majority of Michiganders who support reproductive freedom.
“For too long, the Michigan state legislature has been controlled by anti-choice, anti-freedom politicians advancing an out-of-touch agenda. Their efforts to roll back reproductive freedom fly in the face of the majority of Michiganders, who believe everyone should be able to make their own decisions about pregnancy,” said NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue. “NARAL and our more than 80,000 members across Michigan are proud to support these 40 candidates, whose leadership will be critical for fighting back against an extreme Radical Right agenda that seeks to deny Michiganders the ability to control their own lives, destinies, and futures.”
“We’re honored that NARAL is joining us in our fight to flip the Michigan State House, and supporting candidates in districts across the state. Reproductive freedom is not only a pillar of the Democratic Party’s platform, but under constant attack here in Michigan,” said Michigan Democratic House Leader Christine Greig. “Currently, the Michigan Republican Party is going all in for candidates who have publicly said they are against the right to chose, even in cases of rape, incest, or if the mother’s life is in jeopardy. If we have a Democratic majority in the legislature, we can give Gov. Whitmer a lever of support to defend our rights, and protect access to all reproductive health care options. People in our state know that deciding when to start a family is a choice that should be up to each individual, one that is imperative to defend from extremist politicians looking to strip those freedoms away. We look forward to taking back the House, and create a stronger Michigan, one where pregnant people are protected from workplace discrimination, paid family leave is expanded, and the constitutional right to choose is protected.”
Michigan is also home to a critical U.S. Senate race — as NARAL-endorsed Democratic Senator Gary Peters seeks re-election to defeat anti-choice Republican John James — and two U.S. House races — where NARAL is supporting the re-elections of Reps. Elissa Slotkin (CD-08) and Haley Stevens (CD-11).
Endorsed Candidates:
- Rep. Mari Manoogian (HD-40)
- Rep. Padma Kuppa (HD-41)
- Rep. Bill Sowerby (HD-31)
- Rep. Kyra Bolden (HD-35)
- Rachel Hood (HD-76)
- Lily Cheng Schulting (HD-72)
- Chokwe Pitchford (HD-79)
- Brad May (HD-51)
- Rep. John Cherry (HD-49)
- Felicia Brabec (HD-55)
- Samantha Steckloff (HD-37)
- Donnie Bettes (HD-42)
- Abigail Wheeler (HD-66)
- Amy East (HD-59)
- Richard Steenland (HD-22)
- Jim Page (HD-107)
- Tullio Liberati (HD-13)
- Julie Rogers (HD-60)
- Christopher Slat (HD-17)
- Rep. Sheryl Kennedy (HD-48)
- Rep. Brenda Carter (HD-29)
- Nancy Smith (HD-65)
- Barb Anness (HD-45)
- Christine Morse (HD-61)
- Rep. Kara Hope (HD-67)
- Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (HD-19)
- Nicole Breadon (HD-43)
- Tamara Barnes (HD-58)
- Justin Boucher (HD-32)
- Beth McGill-Rizer (HD-101)
- Jody LaMacchia (HD-46)
- Will Garcia (HD-57)
- Dan O’Neil (HD-104)
- Rep. Alex Garza (HD-12)
- Bob Smith (HD-77)
- Rep. Lori Stone (HD-28)
- Mary Cavanagh (HD-10)
- Rep. Tim Sneller (HD-50)
- Kelly Breen (HD-38)
- Dan Vandenheede (HD-78)
Previously, NARAL endorsed Julia Pulver (HD-39), NARAL’s first endorsement of a state legislative candidate in 2020.
A Public Policy Polling survey released last month finds that a large majority (74%) of Michigan voters believe that abortion should be legal, and that the government should not prevent a woman from making that decision for themselves. Just 12% say they would only consider voting for a candidate who supports banning abortion in the November election.
A large majority (77%) also agree that any decision about pregnancy should be made by the woman with the support of people they love and trust, while just 19% disagree. This also includes 79% of independent voters and 57% of Republicans.
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For over 50 years, NARAL Pro-Choice America and its network of state affiliates and chapters have fought to protect and advance reproductive freedom—including access to abortion, contraception, and paid family leave—for every body. NARAL is powered by its more than 2.5 million members from every state and congressional district in the country, representing the 7 in 10 Americans who believe every person should have the freedom to make the best decision for themselves about if, when, and how to raise a family.
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