Today in Raleigh, EMILY’s List President Laphonza Butler was joined by Governor Roy Cooper, NCDP Chair Dr. Bobbie Richardson, Sen. Sydney Batch (SD-17), Democratic candidate Mary Wills Bode (SD-18), Rep. Julie von Haefen (HD-36), Rep. Vernetta Alston (HD-29), and Lillian’s List Executive Director Sarah Preston, to emphasize the importance of this election for determining the future of reproductive freedoms for the women of North Carolina.
“By overturning Roe v. Wade and seeking establish harsh abortion restrictions, Republicans are undermining the constitutional freedoms of women statewide and saying to them that they are not to be trusted with autonomy over their own bodies,” said NCDP Chair Dr. Bobbie Richardson. “Every single one of the people here with me today is a champion for change and that is why we need people to turn out and vote for them and all of our incredible Democratic candidates in November to protect Governor Cooper’s veto.”
Watch the full event here.
“Across the nation, the full spectrum of reproductive health including abortion is under attack. Even in a state with a great pro-choice Democratic governor like Governor Cooper, a Republican supermajority could pass extreme bans and override the governor’s veto,” said EMILY’s List President Laphonza Butler. “That’s why here in North Carolina, we know that these legislative races can make all the difference in protecting abortion rights and protecting essential healthcare options for all women in this great state.”
“It’s been three months since the U.S. Supreme Court ripped away the constitutional right to reproductive freedom that women have relied on for five decades. Three months since it became a state decision whether women can access reproductive health care,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “I will never back down when women’s health is on the line. But my veto is only effective when I have the votes in the legislature to back me up. That means we have to elect the women standing here with us today. These races will be close. Every single vote matters.”
“Republicans have made their intentions for next year’s session clear: If they gain a vetoproof supermajority this election, they will pass stricter abortion legislation. It’s on the record and in writing. They’ll do whatever it takes to impose their ideologies over the overwhelming majority of North Carolinians that support abortion for women that need it,” said Senator Sydney Batch (SD-17). “It’s absolutely essential that my Democratic colleagues and I are elected back to the General Assembly, and that we are joined by equally strong and committed candidates, so that we can continue to protect the Governor’s veto.”
“Over the last 95 days, I have seen women from all backgrounds stepping off the sidelines and into the political arena – some for the very first time – and truly realizing their power and using it to make a difference,” said Mary Wills Bode, Democratic candidate for SD-18. “And I remain confident this energy and focus will only continue to grow over the next 42 days, and that it will translate into electoral victories across our state and nation on November 8th: Because women are not without political power, and they’re going to use it.”
“Without everyone here today, our Republican counterparts will pass stricter abortion legislation next session and millions of women will be stripped of their constitutional rights over their own bodies,” said Rep. Julie von Haefen (HD-36). “As I’ve been out canvassing, I have spoken with men and women that are concerned about what the overturning of Roe v. Wade can mean for their children’s future – especially their daughters. We don’t want these rights taken away from our children. That is not the North Carolina I want to leave for them.”
“This election is critical for every single one of us. Politicians have no place in our doctor’s office. No place between a woman and her doctor. But North Carolina Republicans want to put themselves there. We cannot allow that,” said Rep. Vernetta Alston (HD-29). “We have an immediate duty and responsibility to act in the face of this attack on our fundamental rights as officials that were elected to serve our communities.”
“Since the Supreme Court decision overruling Roe versus Wade was handed down in June, we’ve seen Republican candidates shifting their positions and backpedaling on the issue of abortion and I am here to say don’t believe them,” said Sarah Preston, Executive Director for Lillian’s List. “The majority of voters support keeping abortion legal and accessible to those who need it. We need to elect progressive candidates that have clearly and unequivocally stated they will stand up for reproductive freedom and protect legal abortion.”
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