In a true tossup district, Marilyn Lands won her special election for the Alabama House by centering reproductive freedoms before and after the court’s devastating IVF ruling
WASHINGTON — In the first major election following the devastating IVF ruling that created chaos and confusion for Alabama families, DLCC Spotlight Candidate Marilyn Lands won her special election to the House. Marilyn Lands was an underdog who lost the 2022 race by 7 points, and just two years later, clinched the victory in one of the reddest states across the country.
Her success is a direct result of running a campaign focused on defending reproductive rights and standing up to GOP extremism, and her victory should rock the confidence of Republicans across the country. It’s clear that even in red states, voters are rejecting MAGA extremism – especially when it comes to reproductive freedoms – and IVF will play a significant role in November elections up and down the ballot.
This win is among the first legislative seat flips of the year, in the latest sign yet of the undeniable momentum behind the DLCC. Throughout 2023 and now into 2024, state Democrats are overperforming and scoring key victories that shift the balance of power in the states. The DLCC is on a winning streak. We gained 4 chambers in 2022, we overperformed special elections by an average of 6 points in 2023, and we swept the 2023 elections. Now we’re off to 2024 with impressive gains in red territory. The DLCC needs continued support and resources to keep this momentum going. More majority-making special elections are just weeks away in the Michigan House, and we can’t miss a single opportunity.
DLCC Spotlight Candidate Marilyn Lands issued the following statement:
“Today, Alabama women and families sent a clear message that will be heard in Montgomery and across the nation. Our legislature must repeal Alabama’s no-exceptions abortion ban, fully restore access to IVF, and protect the right to contraception. To my campaign team and volunteers, both in this run and in my last one, I want you to know how much your support means to me. I could not have done this alone and have been so incredibly blessed by the people around me. I look forward to representing everyone in District 10 and building a brighter future for Alabama. The campaign might have ended, but our work is just beginning.”
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:
“Tonight’s victory is a political earthquake in Alabama – the heart of Republican territory and ground zero for the most egregious attacks on our fundamental freedoms. In the first real test of backlash from voters on attacks on reproductive care and IVF, Alabama voters showed up in force to support Democrat Marilyn Lands, who ran courageously and unabashedly as a defender of reproductive freedoms.
“This special election is a harbinger of things to come. Republicans across the country have been put on notice that there are consequences to attacks on IVF – from the bluest blue state to the reddest red, voters are choosing to fight for their fundamental freedoms by electing Democrats across the country. From Alabama to Florida to New Hampshire to Pennsylvania, the DLCC’s impressive winning streak continues. 2024 is the year of the states. This is the most important year in state legislative campaign history, and we’re only just getting started.”
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the official Democratic Party committee dedicated to winning America’s state legislatures and building state infrastructure. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
###
