NARAL Congratulates Manka Dhingra On Her Election to Washington State Senate

In a victory for women and families across the state, NARAL congratulated Manka Dhingra on her election to be the next state senator in Washington’s 45th district. Dhingra’s crucial win means Democrats will gain control of the Washington State Senate, taking power away from the anti-choice GOP. To congratulate Manka Dhingra on her victory, NARAL leaders issued the following statements:

“NARAL members are thrilled to have stood with Manka Dhingra since Day One, and congratulate her on being elected as Washington’s next state senator,” said Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. “Voters in Washington have made their values clear: Trump-style, anti-choice politics have no place in the state. That’s why NARAL members from this state senate district turned out in huge numbers to knock doors, make phone calls, and talk with their neighbors about how critical this election is to families across the state. Manka is a proven champion for reproductive freedom, and we look forward to her leadership in the Washington State Senate as she fights for our most basic rights.”

“Manka Dhingra made basic human rights and reproductive healthcare central to her campaign, and NARAL members could not be more excited to welcome her to the state legislature,” said Tiffany Hankins, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington. “This election was a pivotal moment for reproductive freedom across the state, including our access to affordable birth control and abortion care. By electing pro-choice champion Manka Dhingra, Washingtonians who support access to abortion care made their voices heard loud and clear. NARAL will continue mobilizing the pro-choice majority in Washington State in critical swing districts and we look forward to adding more pro-choice members to the State Senate in 2018​.”

Over the course of the campaign, NARAL members went all-in to support the true champion for women and families, Manka Dhingra. Since Day One, NARAL has heavily invested in the race, spending six figures and reaching more than 26,000 voters. NARAL members who live in the 45th district knocked on doors and spoke to their neighbors about just how much was at stake in this election, and NARAL released a series of mailers to highlight the stark contrast between pro-choice champion Manka, and the Trump-supporting Republican candidate, Jinyoung Englund, who was an outspoken opponent of reproductive rights.