In recognition of her tireless leadership for women and reproductive choice, the National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH) Action Fund PAC has endorsed Anna Kaplan in her re-election bid for NY Senate
The endorsement comes on the heels of endorsements from Planned Parenthood Empire States Vote PAC, National Organization for Women New York State (NOW-NYS), and Eleanor’s Legacy
Kaplan, the only woman in the State Senate from Nassau County, recently passed the law that makes New York a safe haven for women seeking abortions from anti-choice states
GLEN COVE, NY (September 19, 2022) – With just seven weeks till the November election, New York State Senator Anna M. Kaplan (D-North Hills), the only woman in the State Senate from Nassau County, and the only Democratic woman in the State Senate from Long Island, announced that she’s earned the endorsement of the National Institute for Reproductive Health (NIRH) Action Fund PAC in recognition of her tireless leadership on behalf of women’s issues and protecting reproductive rights and choice. The endorsement comes on the heels of endorsements from Planned Parenthood Empire State Votes PAC, National Organization for Women New York State (NOW-NYS), and Eleanor’s Legacy.
Senator Anna M. Kaplan said “protecting women and protecting choice has always been my priority, and always will be my priority. I ran for this seat because I was sick and tired of seeing extremist Republicans stopping important legislation like the Reproductive Health Act from becoming law, and since I’ve been in office, I’ve proudly fought to secure our rights here in New York no matter what. At a time when these extremists are doing everything in their power to steal our freedoms and control our bodies, I’m proud to partner with organizations like the National Institute for Reproductive Health to fight back and protect our rights, and I’m so grateful for their support in my re-election campaign.”
Kaplan first ran for the State Senate in 2018 on a platform of passing the Reproductive Health Act, which codified the protections of Roe v. Wade into New York State Law and removed abortion care from the State’s criminal code. The bill had been prevented from reaching the Senate floor for a vote by an intransigent Republican Majority, which included her Republican opponent, who refused to take up the vital measure for a vote despite years of advocacy by Democrats in the Minority.
In addition to helping pass the reproductive health act and several measures that expanded women’s access to reproductive care and contraceptive medicine, Senator Kaplan recently authored the new state law that protects doctors who provide abortions to women from out of state, effectively making New York a safe haven for women seeking abortion care after the fall of Roe.
“Anna Kaplan has used every tool available to protect and expand access to abortion and reproductive healthcare in New York at both the state level and in her district,” said Andrea Miller, President of the National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund PAC. “As reproductive rights continue to be under attack across the country, we need strong leaders like Anna Kaplan in Albany to ensure that we continue to secure not only the rights of New Yorkers, but also meaningful access to reproductive healthcare for all who need it. NIRH AF PAC is proud to endorse Anna Kaplan for re-election to the New York State Senate.”
In sharp contrast to Senator Kaplan’s strong support of reproductive choice, her opponent, Jack Martins, has a long record of opposing choice for women. In his time as State Senator, Mr. Martins opposed codifying federal abortion rights into state law and refused to support the full Women’s Equality Act due to the inclusion of abortion protections in the measure.
Just this month, when the Town of North Hempstead held hearings to repeal its local abortion restrictions, Jack Martins once again failed to show up and speak out in support of women’s reproductive rights, as did dozens of community members, advocates for women’s rights, and officials, including Senator Kaplan, over the course of two nights of public comments.
Senator Anna M. Kaplan said “Just a few months ago, the Supreme Court stole our Constitutional right to choose by overturning Roe V. Wade, and the responsibility to protect women’s reproductive freedoms now falls to those of us willing to stand up, fight back, and protect women. Jack Martins had an opportunity to speak out and stand up for women in calling for the repeal of local abortion restrictions, but he never showed up, and he never spoke out. At a time when our rights are under attack by radical conservatives across the country and here at home, we can’t afford to stay home or stay silent, we need leaders who are willing to fight for our rights and freedoms.”
Sophie Nir, Executive Director of Eleanor’s Legacy, said “At a time when women’s hard-fought abortion rights are being stolen by extremists, we need leaders who will stand up and fight to protect our right to access comprehensive reproductive healthcare in our own communities. When the majority of voters in this district and our country favor women’s health care freedom and right to abortion it is unacceptable that Mr. Martins turns his back on women and voters by not even showing up to listen to their concerns and priorities. We deserve better! In contrast Senator Kaplan has always been and always will be a champion for reproductive healthcare in New York.”
ABOUT NIRH ACTION FUND PAC: The National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund PAC (NIRH Action Fund PAC) is an advocacy group that builds political power for reproductive freedom. We partner with allied groups in states and cities to elect candidates who stand up for everyone’s right to control their reproductive lives, and work with elected officials to protect and advance reproductive rights. Working closely with partners on the ground, the NIRH Action Fund is building political and electoral power, from the ground up. Our strategy is to go on the offensive and focus on communities where change is needed, so the fabric of reproductive freedom becomes harder to tear apart.
ABOUT ELEANOR’S LEGACY: Eleanor’s Legacy was founded in 2001 by Hon. Judith Hope. We take our inspiration from Eleanor Roosevelt who said: “Democracy is not about words, but action.” We recruit, train, and support pro-choice Democratic women to run for state and local office throughout New York.
ABOUT SENATOR ANNA KAPLAN: Anna Kaplan is a former child refugee who has devoted her life to public service as a way of giving back to the country that has given her so much. Now serving her second term as a New York State Senator, Anna is fighting hard for Long Island and delivering results for our community on important issues like middle class tax relief, women’s rights, and keeping our communities safe from gun violence and hate crimes. For more information about Senator Anna Kaplan, visit www.annafornysenate.com
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