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Washington Post: Five Questions for Sandra Fluke

By Kurt Gonska on February 06, 2014


8th-post-featured

Originally Published in The Washington Post, by Nia-Malika Henderson.

We caught up briefly with Sandra Fluke, the attorney and activist who announced that she will seek a state senate seat in California, passing up a chance to run for Congress to replace retiring Rep. Henry A. Waxman and surprising many of her progressive fans.

Here’s a lightly edited transcript of what she had to say about that decision and what it says about women and politics:

Why the state senate seat instead of Congress?—I thought very seriously about this decision and it wasn’t an easy one. What it came down to was that it’s where I can go and make progressive change happen, so that’s what it came down to for me. The numbers in state are different, roughly 40 [state senators] in California versus 435 [members in the U.S. House of Representatives]. Ultimately, it’s not just about the gridlock in D.C., I am willing to stand up and fight and as much I would want to and take the fight to some of the things we are seeing in D.C., I just think I can do more by being in Sacramento. I hope that a lot of people will start to look at what is happening in state legislatures. It doesn’t get a lot of attention, but we know a lot is getting rolled back — gay marriage and gay rights and abortion rights. All of that is happening on the state legislature level. You look at minimum wage, D.C. is talking about that, but we were able to get it done. There are a lot of really important things happening in state legislatures where can I get work done.

Did you fail to “lean in” by not going for a Congressional seat that hasn’t been open for four decades? I think that we do really have a need for more women in elected office at every level and I recognize the the importance of having a pipeline. I have deep concerns for people who say to women, ‘Wait your turn, you haven’t earned it,’ and I don’t approve of people being told that. Have I heard those kinds of ideas? Yes. Did I give that any credence? None whatsoever. I didn’t not go for the brass ring. I went for the work that needs to be done and that’s what leadership should look like.

Any fear about being branded as a kind of one hit wonder– forever known as the woman Rush Limbaugh called a “slut” because of your support for mandating insurance companies provide coverage for contraceptives? Unfortunately, everybody gets defined by other people, and the trick is to define yourself. I am proud of the advocacy that I did to make sure that women have access and I’m proud of the example I set and I look forward to building on that.

What other issues do you think are important and that you plan to address?–We are right along the coast, protecting the environment is really important to our core values, and we have very valuable coast to protect. The implementation of the Affordable Care Act, that’s something that states are looking at, and we have to make sure that it is being implemented in the way that it should be. And jobs. We have a high unemployment rate that we have to grapple with and we have to help lower that, because we owe it to our constituents and I will build on the work I’ve done on human trafficking and advocating for gay rights and social justice issues.

If you win this race, you’ll have a smaller platform than you do now in some ways.  And certainly smaller than if you ran for Congress. And if you lose, you won’t have much of a platform at all? Talk about those scenarios. There is no point in having a platform unless you are doing it to advance progressive work. I’m not going to back off that work. If my platform helps me get the work done, great. When I get to Sacramento I hope that I get to use my platform to talk about how we can be a model. But doing the work for my constituents isn’t about keeping my platform.

Nia-Malika Henderson is a senior writer for She The People. She has covered national politics for The Post since 2010. Follow her on Twitter @niawapo. Photo by Alex Wong/GETTY IMAGES.

Stand with Sandra


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Endorsements

  • Sandra Fluke is a champion for California women and their families. She bravely spoke up on Capitol Hill in defense of contraceptive coverage and has been a tireless advocate in California on behalf of legislation like last year’s Abortion Access Bill (AB 154, Atkins). She is not only a pro-choice candidate, but part of a new generation of progressive leaders fighting for reproductive justice. In the Senate, Sandra will join a committed pro-choice majority. Endorsing Sandra was an obvious choice, because we know that she will be a champion and leader for reproductive rights in Sacramento. We’re so excited to help her get there.

    -Amy Everitt, State Director, NARAL Pro-Choice California

  • She is one of a fresh, new generation of feminists, and it is exciting to see her take this step in her political career. I know Sandra will fight in Sacramento for progressive values and change to better the lives of everyone in her district. I look forward to supporting her campaign from now until Election Day!

    -Gloria Steinem

  • Although I would have loved to have her as a colleague in Congress, the people of the 26th Senate District will be lucky to have Sandra fighting for them. Sandra will be able to create the progressive change in Sacramento that unfortunately Congress is unable to achieve in this political climate. This is a great first step for Sandra’s political career and I wholeheartedly endorse her for State Senate.

    -Congresswoman Janice Hahn

  • I am thrilled to endorse Sandra’s bid for State Senate. She is a true progressive leader who has already worked to pass important legislation here in California. As chair of the Education Committee, I know the importance of early childhood education, one of many issues Sandra has championed. Her future constituents will be lucky to have her be their voice in Sacramento.

    -Carol Liu

  • I’ve had the privilege of working with Sandra Fluke several times. I’m impressed with her expertise and eloquence. She is just the kind of advocate with a fresh perspective that we need in Sacramento. I’m confident Sandra will stand up for what is right to protect reproductive freedom, and she’ll be a strong voice as a leader from within a new generation of progressives. I’m proud to support her for election to the California Senate.

    -Sarah Weddington, Attorney who argued the Roe v. Wade case

  • I am pleased and delighted to endorse Sandra for the State Senate. Sandra and I have worked together on legislation to advance issues of gender equality and reproductive justice and as Vice Chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus, I am proud to offer her my support.

    -State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson

  • I am proud to stand with Sandra Fluke in her bid for California State Senate. Sandra is a strong, hardworking, and dedicated individual with an impressive passion for public service. She is a strong role model and is the right choice to fight for equality and progress in Sacramento.

    -Jennifer Siebel Newsom

  • I am proud to stand with Sandra Fluke in her bid to serve in the California State Senate. Sandra has long been a fearless advocate for women’s rights especially those of women veterans. I am confident that she will, with unwavering courage and endless commitment, continue to serve all who have served our country.

    -Kristen Kavanaugh, Chair, CDP Veterans’ Caucus, Committee on Women Veterans

  • During my 2012 campaign, Sandra came to Rochester and stood with me. I got to know her and I was deeply impressed with her willingness to fight for what she believed in. She remains a champion for women’s health, and has spoken out this year in support of equal pay and access to contraception. She also speaks out for issues that don’t get as much coverage: human trafficking, skyrocketing student loan debt and workers’ rights. I’m proud to support Sandra’s run for State Senate.

    -U.S. Representative Louise Slaughter (NY-25), Ranking Member on the House Rules Committee

  • Sandra Fluke is a fighter, and I know she will make a real difference in the lives of her constituents. Sandra is an incredibly effective champion for the issues that matter to Angelenos. I’m impressed by the work she’s done for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, as well as her legislative advocacy for worker protections and access to education. I’m proud to endorse Sandra Fluke for State Senate.

    -Honorable Joy Picus, Former Los Angeles City Councilmember

  • I’m proud to endorse Sandra Fluke for State Senate. From our water crisis, to fracking, to the region’s significant transportation challenges – we need an environmental champion in the State Senate fighting every day to protect our communities, and Sandra is that champion. Sandra is a pragmatic and experienced leader who will be a strong advocate for the environment.

    -Nancy Sutley, Former Chair, White House Council on Environmental Quality

  • As a veteran and survivor of sexual assault in the military, I have learned that real strength is the courage to stand up in the face of adversity regardless of how tall the challenge may seem. I support Sandra Fluke because she has the strength and dedication required to represent women and veterans and will ensure that veteran issues are a top priority when she goes to Sacramento.

    -Kate Weber, Mom, Veteran, Advocate, Survivor. 2013 Veteran of the year by the California Democratic Party and Woman Veteran Leader of the Year by Cal Vet

  • In 2012 when I was running for Congress, Sandra came and stood with me. I got to know her as we campaigned together, and I was incredibly impressed by her commitment to California and her willingness to fight for change. Sandra is definitely never one to back down from a challenge! I’m proud to stand with her now and I fully endorse her campaign for State Senate.

    -Congressman Scott Peters

  • I’m endorsing Sandra’s run for California State Senate. She represents a new generation of progressive leadership and she’ll be a fresh voice in government. I’m standing with Sandra and I hope you will, too.​

    -Congressman Joaquin Castro

  • I am so happy to endorse my friend, Sandra Fluke! Sandra has been a strong advocate for social justice and the LGBTQ community. Even before she was known on the national stage, she co-founded a statewide coalition that passed legislation to eliminate discrimination against LGBTQ people in family court, helping protect parents like mine. I know she’ll be a fighter for her constituents and she’ll bring to Sacramento a fresh perspective on progressive issues.

    -Zach Wahls, LGBTQ Rights Activist

  • I strongly admire Sandra’s public service on a number of issues and I am so excited for her to step forward and run for State Senate. Sandra Fluke will be an effective voice for her community and her generation.

    -Christine Pelosi, Chair, Women’s Caucus, California Democratic Party

Paid for by Stand with Sandra Fluke for State Senate 2014 FPPC ID # 1363476
PO Box 931, Agoura Hills, CA 91376

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