The National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League Pro-Choice America, a national reproductive rights non-profit organization, officially endorsed Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam for governor in the Virginia Democratic primary.
In the gubernatorial race, both Northam and his opponent, former Rep. Tom Perriello (D-Va.), support a woman’s right to have an abortion. Both have received a 100 percent approval rating from NARAL.
The action group said it elected to endorse Northam because of his consistent record of supporting pro-choice legislation and his history as their ally in the Virginia legislature. In a press release, China Dickerson, the deputy political director of NARAL, said Northam is a steadfast champion of reproductive rights, including the right to access abortion care, throughout his political career.
“For his entire career, including when he led the fight against the invasive transvaginal ultrasound law here in Virginia, Ralph Northam has always put women and families first,” Dickerson said.
Dickerson also said NARAL believes Northam will continue to fight for abortion rights as governor.
“He’ll take on the tough battles and stand up to those who threaten our basic rights, including access to abortion and basic reproductive health care,” Dickerson said. “NARAL is proud to stand with him as we fight for women and families across Virginia.”
Virginia Chambers, the communications coordinator for the University Democrats, said the organization is pleased to see candidates who are supportive of reproductive rights. However, it is the policy of the University Democrats to refrain from endorsing a candidate until after the primary.
“We are always pleased to see candidates who support citizens' abilities to make their own healthcare decisions with the input of their doctors, not their legislators,” Chambers said in an email to The Cavalier Daily. “It is always heartening to see similarly-minded groups support candidates who share that vision, and we are pleased that at least one gubernatorial candidate does.”
Tarina Keene, the executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia, said as governor, Northam would protect women’s rights in light of the Republican-held White House and Virginia General Assembly.
“Dr. Northam has proven himself time and again to be an effective and unapologetic defender of reproductive freedom in Virginia,” Keene said in a press release Monday. “With Donald Trump in the White House and the Virginia House and Senate controlled by anti-choice legislators, we are facing unprecedented attacks on a woman’s health and rights. That’s why we need Ralph Northam as our governor.”
With their endorsement, NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia has said they would put the entirety of their grassroots organizing and fundraising power behind electing Northam as Virginia’s next governor.
Northam said in a release he envisioned the Virginia legislature as a “brick wall” to stop attacks on reproductive rights, which he said he would fight if elected governor.
“I am honored to receive NARAL’s endorsement,” Northam said. “As governor, I’ll continue to be a steadfast partner in NARAL’s mission to defend women’s ability to make their own economic and reproductive decisions.”
In February, Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) vetoed House Bill 2264 to defund Planned Parenthood. Proposed by Del. Ben Cline (R-Amherst), HB 2264 passed the General Assembly and would have “[prohibited] the Department of Health from spending any funds on an abortion that is not qualified for matching funds under the Medicaid program or providing any grants or other funds to any entity that performs such abortions.”
Northam has also received endorsements from several well-known democrats, including McAuliffe, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring (D), Sen. Tim Kaine (D) and Sen. Mark Warner (D).
Perriello has received endorsements from Prince William County School Board Chairman Ryan Sawyers and the Keystone Mountain Lakes Regional Council of Carpenters.
The Republican gubernatorial candidates are Ed Gillespie, Denver Riggleman, Corey Stewart and Frank Wagner.
Perriello’s campaign did not return request for comment.
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