Blog de Dunlap: re: Yesterday’s elections

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

re: Yesterday’s elections

One thing's already clear from yesterday's elections, Danielle: when reproductive freedom is on the ballot, reproductive freedom wins.

Ohioans enshrined the right to an abortion in their state constitution, ensuring that an extreme six-week ban will not take effect.

In Virginia, Democrats ran on abortion rights and flipped the House of Delegates while holding onto the Senate — which means the GOP governor won't be able to pass the abortion ban on his wish list.

Kentucky re-elected its Democratic governor, who attacked his Republican opponent's anti-abortion extremism.

And Democrats won a state Supreme Court race in Pennsylvania after — you guessed it — campaigning on defending abortion rights.

You know, some cable news gurus have said Democrats shouldn't talk so much about abortion. That it's somehow a distraction from discussing the economy. But the American people understand that a family's well-being is inextricably linked to a family's freedom. Abortion is a kitchen-table issue, and decisions about reproduction are also decisions about health and economic security.

Ever since right-wing radicals on the Supreme Court overturned Roe, I've talked to so many people who've said, with a fierce determination, I will not let someone else make that decision for me. They don't know me. They don't know my circumstances. They are not going to decide what happens to my life.

And at the ballot box yesterday, the American people made that determination clear.

Democrats can win more elections — in 2024 and beyond — by speaking out for what we believe in. By defending the right to an abortion and the freedom to set your own path in life. By campaigning against MAGA Republicans' out-of-touch extremism.

I'm running for re-election next year because I'm in this fight all the way. And I'm honored to fight by your side.

Thanks for being a part of this,

Elizabeth