NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia Endorses Slate of Pro-Choice Champs for General Assembly

NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia today announced its endorsement of a slate of nine pro-choice champions in Georgia. The endorsements include: Jen Jordan (SD-6), Zahra Karinshak (SD-48), Sally Harrell (SD-40), Shea Roberts (HD-52), Shelly Hutchinson (HD-107), Erick Allen (HD-40), Donna McLeod (HD-105), Matthew Wilson (HD-80), and Mike Wilensky (HD-79). NARAL has built momentum and served as an early force in races across Georgia, up and down the ballot.

“For far too long, our General Assembly has been a place where anti-choice Republicans have had free reign to ignore the will of voters and neglect the health and wellbeing of Georgian’s — and instead impose their beliefs on Georgia families,” said NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia State Director, Laura Simmons. “Women and families across Georgia deserve better. We know that 2018 is the year that we will send a wave of unabashed, pro-choice champions to the Gold Dome to fight for reproductive freedom and gender equality. These nine candidates are stepping up to take on that challenge, and NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia is proud to support them.”

“Everyone deserves the right to make decisions about what is best for themselves and their families, and this includes a woman’s ability to have complete control over their reproductive health decisions. I look forward to being a dependable voice and fight back against the attacks from those who have tried for far too long to chip away at these fundamental rights.” said Erick Allen, candidate for House District 40.

“As an Air Force veteran, former federal prosecutor, attorney, and pro-choice woman, I have spent a lifetime fighting for the rights of our Nation’s citizens, including women’s rights,” said Zahra Karinshak, candidate for Senate District 48. “As a mother of two teenage girls, I want to protect their rights and ensure legal equality, and equality of opportunity, for all women and girls.”

“As a healthcare advocate, social worker and mother, I have spent decades making sure young people have what they need to make informed decisions regarding their reproductive health. But lately I’ve been alarmed at politicians actively chipping away at the very resources and freedoms that enable women to plan if and when they decide to have children,” said Sally Harrell, candidate for Senate District 40. “This threatens the economic security of families and it’s high time we stand up and say enough is enough. I intend to use the power of the Georgia Senate to lead that charge.”

“As an advocate, as an attorney, and as a mother of two daughters, I am not only uniquely qualified to champion women’s rights to quality health care and reproductive freedoms – I am committed to it,” said candidate for House District 52, Shea Roberts. “When I was pursuing my Juris Doctor at a Catholic university, I played a vital role in forming the campus organization that provided a safe space for students to talk about women’s health and reproductive freedoms. We must fight for humanity to ensure women have control over their health decisions. I’m ready to fight for just that.”

NARAL has mobilized members and volunteers across the state to fight for the reproductive freedom for Georgia’s women and families. NARAL has been an early force behind candidates at every level, most recently leading the charge to help elect Nikema Williams in SD-39 and Jen Jordan in SD-06, and acting as a key supporter in Stacey Abrams’ race for Governor.