NARAL Pro-Choice California Endorses Future Leaders for Reproductive Freedom for Assembly Districts Across the Golden State - Reproductive Freedom for All

Formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America

Press Release

NARAL Pro-Choice California Endorses Future Leaders for Reproductive Freedom for Assembly Districts Across the Golden State

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Contact: [email protected]

California’s leading reproductive freedom advocacy organization announces five new endorsements in upcoming special elections

Sacramento—NARAL Pro-Choice California today announced its endorsement of five candidates—Lori Wilson (AD-11), dual endorsement of David Campos and Matt Haney (AD-17), Tina McKinnor (AD-62), and Georgette Gomez (AD-80)—in their races to represent their respective California Assembly Districts in the upcoming April special elections.

NARAL Pro-Choice California Director Shannon Olivieri Hovis released the following statement:

“On behalf of our nearly 300,000 members statewide, NARAL Pro-Choice California is proud to endorse Georgette Gómez, Tina McKinnor, and Lori Wilson, and to dual endorse David Campos and Matt Haney in their bids to join the California State Assembly. These candidates will be fierce leaders in making sure California continues to be a Reproductive Freedom State as they work to protect and expand abortion access, contraceptive care, paid family leave, and much more. With abortion care under unprecedented threat across the country, we enthusiastically support these dedicated public servants, who are committed to ensuring that we all have the freedom to decide if, when, and how to start or grow a family. We know that they will fight for the values of the overwhelming majority of Californians who support reproductive freedom.”

Lori Wilson, candidate for California AD-11, said:

“I am honored to receive the support of NARAL Pro-Choice California. NARAL’s commitment and determination to stand up for women’s reproductive health and freedom is critical in these challenging times. In the Assembly, I plan to partner with organizations like NARAL to make sure California is on the frontlines defending reproductive freedom in the face of these unprecedented attacks across our nation.”

David Campos, candidate for California AD-17, said:

“At a time when reproductive rights are under attack all across the country, I’m honored and humbled to receive this endorsement. When reproductive rights were under attack at San Francisco’s only clinic serving low income women and women of color, I authored a law creating buffer zones around the clinic to protect women and clinic workers from harassment. I look forward to serving in the Assembly and working closely with NARAL to protect and expand access to critical healthcare.”


Matt Haney, candidate for California AD-17, said:

“It’s an honor to have the support of NARAL Pro-Choice California, especially as California continues to be a national leader in the fight to protect reproductive freedom. I am fully committed to using my platform to relentlessly defend access to abortion care and family planning services. I will also work tirelessly to expand paid family leave, protect women from discrimination in the workplace, and address healthcare disparities that largely impact women of color. I look forward to serving as a partner in the effort to make California a place where all women are free to make the best decisions for their own health and wellbeing.” 

Tina McKinnor, candidate for California AD-62, said:

“NARAL Pro Choice California is a leader when it comes to defending women’s rights, reproductive freedom and access to healthcare. Having their support sends out a strong message about my commitment to defending women and our bodies.” 

Georgette Gómez, candidate for California AD-80, said:

“Women are finding their rights under attack more and more every day. We need leaders who will fight hard to protect reproductive autonomy for Californians and that means ensuring affordable and universal access to healthcare services like abortion. I am proud to have the endorsement of NARAL Pro-Choice California at this critical time in the fight over this critical freedom.”

These NARAL-endorsed candidates bring a wealth of experience and strong commitments to protect and advance reproductive freedom in the California Assembly. A former San Francisco supervisor, Campos authored the city’s “Buffer Zone” legislation to protect abortion clinic patients and called out the spread of anti-choice disinformation in the city. Gómez, a lifelong community organizer and advocate, fought for underserved communities as San Diego City Council president and at the intersection of environmental and reproductive freedom as a community organizer. As San Francisco supervisor and as a member of the San Francisco Board of Education, Haney championed policies to protect sexual and reproductive health education as well as abortion care, and used his position to speak out against Texas’ anti-choice, vigilante-enforced ban on abortion after six weeks, SB 8. McKinnor, a longtime community organizer, has guided the successful passage of over 100 bills, including non-discrimination legislation, as chief of staff to several state assemblymembers. As Suisun City mayor, Wilson fights for the highest quality of life for all Californians and vows to support legislation that ensures everyone has access to comprehensive care and has agency to make their own reproductive health decisions.

These endorsements come as NARAL Pro-Choice California is ramping up our work to elect candidates up and down the ballot during a critical moment in the fight for reproductive freedom. In the coming months, the U.S. Supreme Court will rule in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization—a case about Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban that directly challenges Roe v. Wade. California is home to more than a quarter of the nation’s healthcare facilities that provide abortion care. If Roe falls, the Golden State will have an outsized role in helping pregnant people from all across the country access the abortion care they need. If Roe falls, 28 states are likely to take action to prohibit abortion outright, and there could be a 2,923% increase in women whose nearest abortion provider would be in California.

In response to nationwide attacks on reproductive freedom, NARAL Pro-Choice California and its allies formed the California Future of Abortion Council (CA FAB Council), to create a blueprint for California’s next steps to safeguard and expand abortion access. Last week, NARAL Pro-Choice California joined fellow FAB Council steering committee members to announce a legislative package of 13 bills introduced this year that will codify recommendations of the Council.

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For over 50 years, NARAL Pro-Choice America has fought to protect and advance reproductive freedom at the federal and state levels—including access to abortion care, birth control, pregnancy and post-partum care, 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 8 in 10 Americans who support legal abortion.