June 22nd 2023.
The fate of reproductive rights in Virginia is in the hands of Lashrecse Aird, the victor of Virginia's Democratic primary race on June 20. In her speech after defeating anti-abortion candidate Joe Morrissey, Aird declared that she would be a firewall in the face of Republican extremists who want to make decisions about women's bodies. Jamie Lockhart, the executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, praised Aird's stance on protecting abortion rights. Lockhart noted that Aird campaigned on stopping Virginia Governor Youngkin from enacting an abortion ban, and that the voters of Senate District 13 were clear in their demand to be represented by an outspoken advocate for reproductive rights.
This victory is a major step forward in health care access in the southeast region. Governor Youngkin had proposed a 15-week abortion ban, which would have resulted in physicians providing abortions facing up to 10 years in prison and fines as high as $100,000. Women and girls would have been prohibited from getting an abortion after the 15th week of pregnancy.
Aird will now face Republican Eric Ditri in the November 7th election for the Senate seat. With the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, it is now legal for states to ban abortion. However, many are still fighting for women and girls to have the right to choose what happens to their bodies. In Maryland, Governor Wes Moore promised that the state will remain a safe haven for abortion access and rights. Moore has signed bills to protect abortion and gender-affirming care, ensuring that the fight for women's rights and autonomy continues.
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