FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 2, 2016
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NARAL Pro-Choice America today congratulated Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander for his victory in Missouri’s U.S. Senate primary and State Rep. Bill Otto for his victory in the U.S. House primary in Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District. NARAL recently endorsed Kander for his unwavering dedication to protecting women’s reproductive rights and for his consistent support of women and families across Missouri. Kander and Otto’s campaigns now enter the general election where they will face anti-choice politicians Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Rep. Ann Wagner (MO-02).
“Today’s victories bring us one step closer to having the leaders that Missouri women and families need,” said Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. “Both Jason Kander and Bill Otto have proven to be steadfast champions in the fight for reproductive freedom. Kander’s opponent, incumbent Sen. Roy Blunt, has proven time and again that the needs of women and our families are just not his priority. In fact, Sen. Blunt has made it his mission to restrict women’s reproductive freedom and roll back access to abortion care. That’s why we support Jason Kander and are proud to stand with him during his campaign for Senate.”
“We are excited to see Jason Kander and Bill Otto move into the general election with such momentum behind their campaigns,” said Alison Dreith, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri. “It’s very clear that the priorities of anti-choice politicians like Sen. Roy Blunt and Rep. Ann Wagner do not fall in line with the needs of Missouri women and our families. They have fought tooth-and-nail to shut down Planned Parenthood and restrict access to basic reproductive healthcare, including abortion. That’s why Missouri women and our families need pro-choice champions like Jason Kander and Bill Otto fighting for us in Washington.”
Despite the fact that 7-in-10 Americans support access to safe, legal abortion, Sen. Blunt and Rep. Wagner have longtime, extreme anti-choice voting records. Kander and Otto, on the other hand, have perfect pro-choice voting records and have stood up to defend women’s access to a full range of reproductive health care services, including abortion.
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