Oregon Democrats Respond to Court Ruling Attacking Abortion & Contraception Access

Portland, OR - As anti-abortion extremists celebrate today's court ruling limiting protections for abortion and contraception access under the Reproductive Health and Equity Act, Oregon Democrats vow to keep fighting.

Candy Emmons, Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Oregon, noted in a statement that this court ruling puts Oregonians at serious risk. Emmons, who is Catholic, said she never expected to have an abortion, but that the Reproductive Health Equity Act saved her life:

"During a routine ultrasound for a desperately wanted pregnancy, I got the worst possible news: the pregnancy wasn't viable. Continuing could have put my health-and my life-at risk. I had no choice but to end the pregnancy.

"I was able to have my abortion with my trusted doctor, at my regular hospital in Portland, covered by insurance-because Democrats in Oregon passed the Reproductive Health Equity Act in 2017. That law meant I could grieve my loss without fearing for my life or my family's financial future.

"An employer or insurance provider denying essential medical treatment isn't an expression of religion. This is not about free speech. This is about an extreme, right-wing minority imposing its will on the rest of the country and trying to control women. Extremist organizations like Oregon Right to Life do not get to speak for people of faith in our state, and any candidate they endorse should be asked why they think women like me should have to die instead of accessing the healthcare they need."

Oregon Right to Life has endorsed Gubernatorial Candidates Christine Drazan and Ed Diel, Congressman Cliff Bentz (OR-2), and the following candidates for State Legislature, according to their voter pamphlet statements (*denotes incumbent status): Jamie Cate (Senate District 06), Jack Tibbetts (Senate District 06), Angela Plowhead (Senate District 10), Courtney Bangs (Senate District 16), Tripp Dietrich (Senate District 16), Dwayne Yunker* (House District 03), Alek Skarlatos* (House District 04), Claire Lynn (House District 09), Angel Sanchez (House District 11), Shelly Boshart Davis* (House District 15), Dan Farrington (House District 17), Beth Jones (House District 17), Amanda Staehely (House District 18), Bryan Starr (House District 18), Kevin Mannix* (House District 21), Lucetta Elmer* (House District 24), Max Sherman (House District 32), Christian Honl (House District 32), Adam Dean (House District 32), Sue Leslie (House District 40), E Werner Reschke* (House District 55), Greg Smith* (House District 57), Bobby Levy* (House District 58), Vikki Breese-Iverson* (House District 59). This list is not inclusive of all Oregon GOP Candidates who are anti-choice, and all of them should be prepared to answer for their position on abortion care this November.

Abortion access is still legal in Oregon, you can go here to learn your rights to access care.

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