NARAL Congratulates Dr. Ralph Northam On His Victory in the Virginia Governor’s Race

NARAL Backed Northam Early, Turned Out Pro-Choice Voters Across Virginia

In a major win for women and families across the state, Dr. Ralph Northam was declared the winner in the race to be the next governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia. NARAL Pro-Choice America and NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia endorsed Dr. Northam early in the primary, and mobilized voters throughout the campaign. To congratulate Dr. Northam on his victory, NARAL leaders issued the following statements:

“This election sends a clear message that Trump-style politics have no place in Virginia. NARAL members are thrilled to congratulate Dr. Ralph Northam on his victory and to have stood by him throughout this critical campaign,” said NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue. “This election is proof positive that when candidates stand up for the rights of women and the dignity of all people, voters will stand with them.”

“NARAL members across Virginia know we can count on Ralph Northam to protect our reproductive rights and freedoms because we’ve worked alongside him for years doing just that. We couldn’t be more excited to continue this pro-choice partnership in the Governor’s Mansion,” said Tarina Keene, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia. “Ralph Northam ran on a positive vision for Virginia, one that didn’t just pay lip service to women’s health and rights – he actually centered his run on trusting women and advancing our reproductive freedom. NARAL members clearly responded to that positive message at the polls, and we look forward to working with Dr. Northam in our shared mission to expand access to the full range of reproductive healthcare, including contraception and abortion.”

NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC and NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia PAC joined together to endorse Northam early in his primary campaign. In key districts and throughout the Commonwealth, NARAL members knocked on thousands of doors to turn out pro-choice voters, including more than 14,000 this last weekend alone. NARAL members also made thousands of phone calls as they worked to turn out the seven in 10 voters who support keeping abortion legal and accessible.

Since his first run for public office, Dr. Northam has been an unapologetic defender of a woman’s right to access basic reproductive healthcare, including abortion. He led the fight against the GOP’s infamous trans-vaginal ultrasound law, pushed to expand access to long-acting reversible contraceptives like IUDs, and has steadfastly defended our constitutional right to access abortion.

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