NARAL Pro-Choice America Endorses Cort VanOstran on His Bid For Congress

NARAL Pro-Choice America today announced its endorsement of Cort VanOstran in his bid to represent Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District.

“Cort VanOstran will prioritize women’s access to reproductive healthcare in Congress and we are proud to support his campaign,” said Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. “With anti-choice extremists like Gov. Greitens working tirelessly to undermine our most basic rights, Missouri women and families need fighters like Cort in Congress to stand up against the anti-choice GOP agenda.”

“For far too long, we’ve watched our anti-choice elected officials pursue a devastating anti-choice agenda at the expense of Missouri’s women and families. They have worked to undermine not just abortion access, but the health, lives, and rights of women across Missouri—and enough is enough,” said Alison Dreith, State Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri. “Cort VanOstran is exactly the kind of fighter that the women and families of Missouri deserve, and NARAL Missouri couldn’t be more excited to work with him to defend reproductive freedom across the state.”

“NARAL Pro-Choice America has been on the front lines fighting for reproductive freedom for decades. I’m honored to have earned their support, I’m proud to stand alongside their 1.2 million members, and I’m committed to protecting, and expanding, on their achievements, said Cort VanOstran. “Our Congresswoman believes that Congress should make healthcare decisions for women. I don’t. I’m committed to ensuring every American has access to affordable, quality health care and will fight to keep women at the center of policy-making the affects their care.”

VanOstran was raised by a single mom in rural Missouri. His mom’s incredible example taught him about strong women and about people’s ability to rise above difficult circumstances. VanOstran was able to live his dream of attending Harvard University thanks to a scholarship from the Elks Club. He returned home to Missouri for law school and now works as a lawyer who fights for farmers and other hardworking Missourians.

In 2016, VanOstran lost his mom to a battle with breast cancer, but during the last years of her life, she was able to access healthcare through a plan that she purchased through the Missouri Affordable Care Act Exchange. After watching his Congresswoman, Ann Wagner, vote in May of 2017 to strip 24 million people off of their healthcare plans, he decided it was time to step up. Along with voting to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Wagner repeatedly supported defunding Planned Parenthood and was a vocal supporter of the Senate’s recent unconstitutional abortion ban. Wagner has consistently received a 0% rating from NARAL because of her anti-choice votes.