171 Planned Parenthood - Backed Candidates Elected on November 7, 2006
Women's Health, Freedom of Choice Were Defining Issues for Many Winners
Contacts:
Tait Sye, 202-973-4882 |
November 10, 2006 |
Washington, DC — The Planned Parenthood Federal PAC delivered major victories for women's health in this year's midterm elections, helping to elect candidates who will protect women and families and set for a bold agenda for the future.
"Women and families are the real winners in this election," said Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. "Americans went to the polls and voted for candidates who support mainstream values, commonsense health care solutions, and access to reproductive health care, including birth control and comprehensive sex education. Hardliners who oppose birth control and reproductive freedom went too far and American families spoke out."
The Planned Parenthood Federal PAC delivered 171 victories by making endorsements and contributions to help elect leaders who will stand up for women's health, including:
- MD-SEN - Rep. Ben Cardin (D) - defeated Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (R) for open seat
- MI-SEN - Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D) - defeated challenger Mike Bouchard (R)
- MN-SEN - Amy Klobuchar (D) - defeated Rep. Mark Kennedy (R) for open seat
- MO-SEN - Claire McCaskill (D) - defeated incumbent Sen. Jim Talent (R)
- MT-SEN - Jon Tester (D) - defeated incumbent Sen. Conrad Burns (R)
- NJ-SEN - Sen. Bob Menendez (D) - defeated challenger Tom Kean, Jr. (R)
- OH-SEN - Rep. Sherrod Brown (D) - defeated incumbent Sen. Mike DeWine (R)
- WA-SEN - Sen. Maria Cantwell (D) - defeated challenger Mike McGavick (R)
- AZ-08 - Gabrielle Giffords (D) - defeated Randy Graf (R) for open seat
- CO-07 - Ed Perlmutter (D) - defeated Rick O'Donnell (R) for open seat
- FL-16 - Tim Mahoney (D) - defeated incumbent Rep. Mark Foley (R) whose votes went to State Rep. Joe Negron (R)
- FL-22 - Ron Klein (D) - defeated incumbent Rep. Clay Shaw (R)
- IA-01 - Bruce Braley (D) - defeated Mike Whalen (R) for open seat
- NY-20 - Kirsten Gillibrand (D) - defeated incumbent Rep. John Sweeney (R)
- NY-24 - Michael Arcuri (D) - defeated Ray Meier (R) for open seat
- OH-13 - Betty Sutton (D) - defeated Craig Foltin (R) for open seat
- PA-07 - Joe Sestak (D) - defeated incumbent Rep. Curt Weldon (R)
- VT-AL - Peter Welch (D) - defeated Martha Rainville (R) for open seat
There are six races yet to be decided and two run-offs.
As the political and advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the Action Fund works in communities, in the states, and in Washington, DC, to educate voters about candidates' commitment to supporting reproductive health care. The Action Fund is non-partisan and endorsements are based on objective criteria based on whether the candidate has been or will be a leader on pro-choice issues.
"Candidates who took a stand in support of women's health were rewarded at the ballot box this week. Come January, Planned Parenthood will light the way for the 110th Congress to champion health policies that support women and families," added Richards.
In addition to making contributions through its PAC, the Action Fund mobilized activists and supporters in local communities throughout the country to educate voters about candidates. To make this happen, the Action Fund focused on increasing voter turnout; engaging the next generation through boot camps and grassroots leadership; using the impressive strength of our supporters and Planned Parenthood organizations in 50 states to focus on key battles; and using voter-to-voter contact through phone banking and door-to-door campaigns.
As part of a coalition of progressive groups in Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, Planned Parenthood supporters were engaged in public education campaigns and grassroots organizing to educate voters and ensure a safer environment for reproductive health care in this country.
For more information on Action Fund 2006 endorsements click here. |
