By Kurt Gonska on March 03, 2014
NARAL is the first pro-choice organization to come out in support of a candidate in the race, and the choice is clear: Sandra Fluke for state senate.
Sacramento, CA – Amy Everitt, state director of NARAL Pro-Choice California, announced today that the organization’s political action committee, PrivacyPAC, has endorsed Sandra Fluke in her race for California’s 26th senate district. NARAL also announced endorsements of Attorney General Kamala Harris, Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, Assemblymember Toni Atkins, and Senator Holly Mitchell in their reelection campaigns.
"Sandra Fluke is a champion for California women and their families,” said Everitt. "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.”
Fluke garnered national attention in February of 2012, when Congressional Republicans prohibited her from testifying, instead hearing from a panel of only men on a question of women’s health. She then testified before the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee on the importance of insurance plans covering contraception. Despite ongoing personal attacks, she continues to tirelessly speak out for social justice.
"Two years ago, when extreme voices sought to silence me, NARAL was one of the first organizations to stand with me and I am so grateful that they’ve continued to be with me every step of the way,” said Fluke. "Now that I’m running for state senate, it means so much to me that NARAL Pro-Choice California’s PrivacyPAC is coming out early to be the first pro-choice organization to endorse a candidate in this competitive election. I look forward to continuing to fight for reproductive justice alongside NARAL during my time in the state senate.”
Although best known for her advocacy for gender equality and reproductive justice, for the last decade Fluke has devoted her career to public interest advocacy for numerous social justice concerns, such as LGBTQ rights, worker rights, economic justice, immigrant rights, and international human rights, including focusing on the impact to communities of color.
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