Democrats running in the most competitive state legislative elections to save access to abortion, birth control, and IVF.
State legislatures are the most consequential ballot level shaping access to abortion, birth control, and IVF. In these ten competitive races, the fight for reproductive freedom is front and center. Meet the candidates who we need on the frontlines of the fight against Republican attacks on bodily autonomy.
After the Arizona Supreme Court reinstated an 1864 near-total abortion ban, the Republican-controlled legislature upheld the ban and played politics. An unpopular 15-week abortion ban is still on the books, and Republicans are scheming to take it even further. This November, we have a chance to flip the state House blue by picking up just two Democratic seats. Karen Gresham is a third-generation Arizonan competing in one of those competitive races, inspired to run for office after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. She’s committed to opposing every attack on reproductive care to ensure that women, not state lawmakers, are the ones making decisions about their bodies.
In March, every Arizona Republican blocked protections for birth control access, once again highlighting the desperate need to wrestle legislative control out of their hands. Brandy Reese is a forensic scientist running in another competitive race for the Arizona House to save reproductive freedom. Brandy chose to pursue a career in criminal justice to help make the world a safer place, and now she’s ready to fight back against a different kind of threat – one posed by partisan lawmakers who have denied women’s right to bodily autonomy.
Georgia’s Republican-controlled state legislature was proud to pass a six-week abortion ban after the fall of Roe. That’s why it’s critical that we build Democratic power in this true battleground state, where voters are increasingly rejecting the GOP’s MAGA extremism. Laura Murvartian is a non-profit leader who immigrated to America from Mexico when she was 8 years old, running in a competitive race for the Georgia House. Laura is a champion for increasing voter engagement, supporting the arts, and advocating for the local Latino population, and she’s committed to restoring reproductive freedom and protecting access to abortion and IVF.
Rep. Jasmine Clark is a microbiologist and educator running to defend the Georgia House seat she flipped blue in 2018. Jasmine was a leading opponent of the GOP’s six-week abortion ban and has sponsored numerous bills to protect access to abortion and support working families. Her background as a scientist informs her approach to public service, and she brings the same problem-solving, strategy, and attention to detail needed in a lab to the state capitol.
In 2022, Kansas voters overwhelmingly rejected an anti-abortion ballot measure and reelected pro-choice Democratic Governor Laura Kelly. But a GOP supermajority in the legislature left Republicans with the power to override Governor Kelly’s veto power, allowing them to continue forcing through attacks on reproductive health care. That’s why it’s critical that Democrats break the GOP supermajority this November. Stacey Knoell is a community advocate and former public school teacher running to flip her Kansas Senate district blue and provide honest, responsive representation that will protect reproductive freedom. She sees a growing disconnect between the shared values of working families in her state and the extremist legislation coming out of Topeka, and she’s eager to continue advocating for Black communities and the rights of all Kansans.
Rep. Denise Mentzer is running for reelection to the Michigan House on a strong record of strengthening reproductive freedom. Denise was critical in helping the new Democratic majority repeal a dangerous 1931 abortion ban and pass the Reproductive Health Act, which protected the right to bodily autonomy and outlawed medically unnecessary abortion restrictions. Denise is excited to return to Lansing to keep fighting for affordable health care, investments in critical infrastructure, and increased access to college and trade schools.
Montana Republicans have been desperately trying to pass an abortion ban in violation of the state constitution. The only thing standing between them and women’s health care is the state supreme court, which has so far blocked their ban. But it’s critical that we add reproductive freedom champions to the legislature to strengthen protections against this kind of extremism. Lindsey Jordan is a licensed therapist who provides crisis intervention and trauma counseling to students. She’s running for the Montana House in a competitive race to flip her district blue and stand up for the right to bodily autonomy.
Rep. Elaine Marzola is running to defend a critical seat in the Nevada Assembly, where the Democratic supermajority has been a powerful force for abortion rights in the face of an extremist Republican governor. In the woman-majority chamber, Elaine sponsored a bill codifying every Nevadan’s fundamental right to reproductive freedom. She’s also helped pass key legislation to support workers and teachers, expand access to health care, and institute common sense gun safety measures.
Virginia Stapleton is running to flip her seat in the Oregon House and defeat a Republican incumbent who proposed legislation to ban artificial insemination for unmarried women. The Democratic-majority legislature has been a leader on reproductive rights, codifying access to abortion and birth control, but that hasn’t stopped Republican extremists from trying to gain ground and advance an anti-freedom agenda. Virginia will be a proud champion for her hometown of Salem, committed to protecting the environment, addressing homelessness, and defending LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive freedom.
Rep. Patty Kim is a strong supporter of reproductive freedom who helped block numerous GOP attempts to restrict abortion access in the Pennsylvania House, including a fetal heartbeat bill, unnecessary burdens on providers, and even an amendment to the state constitution removing the right to abortion. Now, Patty’s running to flip a critical seat and become the first Asian-American woman ever elected to the Pennsylvania Senate. She’s excited to keep showing up for her community to fight for increased wages, better funding for public schools, and defending LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians from discrimination.
Every state with a Republican legislative majority has taken action to ban or restrict abortion. Meanwhile, every Democratic majority has taken action to protect or expand the full range of reproductive health care. Democratic majorities in state legislatures are the firewall protecting the rights of nearly 160 million Americans. It’s critical that we elect these reproductive freedom champions and continue to strengthen the fight for our rights. Split a donation today between these ten Reproductive Freedom Champions.
