RICHMOND, VA – Today, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia Executive Director Jamie Lockhart, and Roe Your Vote, Virginia announced their endorsement of Virginia Beach City Council Member Aaron Rouse in the special election for SD-07.
Aaron Rouse has always been a staunch defender of reproductive rights and will continue to fiercely protect access to abortion care in the Senate.
His opponent, Kevin Adams, is an anti-abortion extremist in lockstep with the most far-right factions of the Republican party. In his website, Adams made it clear that he is 100% anti-abortion and would support an abortion ban if elected to Virginia’s Senate.
Aaron Rouse, Candidate for Senate District 7:
“I am incredibly honored to be endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia and earn the first-ever endorsement of Roe Your Vote, Virginia. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia has been on the front lines of defending abortion rights in the Commonwealth, and I am immensely grateful for their tireless efforts.
“Republicans have made it clear that they will attempt to pass an abortion ban this coming session. But as your next Senator, I will ensure these dangerous bans never become law. Because no politician should be involved in a Virginian’s personal health care decision.”
Jamie Lockhart, Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia:
“Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia is proud to endorse Aaron Rouse, someone who will fight for the reproductive rights of the people of Virginia’s 7th Senate District at a time when our freedom is on the line. When The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, Councilmember Rouse boldly proposed including language to protect abortion rights in Virginia Beach’s General Assembly legislative priorities. Aaron Rouse knows what is at stake in this election and will fiercely defend our rights in the senate.
Make no mistake, Governor Youngkin is courting anti-abortion extremists to help make his vision of banning abortion a terrifying reality in Virginia. With our state senate almost evenly divided, every single elected official is critical to our health and rights. We can trust Aaron Rouse to fight like hell to protect safe and legal abortion. In stark contrast, Kevin Adams’ dangerous views are wildly out of touch with what the vast majority of Virginians want: the ability to make their own medical decisions without political interference. We cannot afford to have Kevin Adams in the senate.”
Tara Gibson, Executive Director, Roe Your Vote, Virginia:
“Aaron Rouse is a champion for reproductive freedom, and Roe Your Vote Virginia is proud to endorse him for State Senate. If the midterm elections taught us anything, it’s that anti-abortion candidates are wildly out of touch with voters across the country – and Aaron’s opponent is no exception. Virginians care deeply about the right to make their own decisions about pregnancy, and they deserve a state Senator who will stand up for this fundamental freedom. We will do everything we can to elect Aaron Rouse in January, and look forward to welcoming him to Richmond for the 2023 General Assembly session.”
You can watch the full press conference here.
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