Press Release Nevada
Press Release
NARAL Pro-Choice Nevada Sounds the Alarm on Anti-Choice U.S. Senate Candidate Adam Laxalt
Laxalt would turn back the clock on reproductive freedom in Nevada and in the United States as the U.S. Supreme Court considers a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade
Carson City, NV — Today, anti-choice extremist Adam Laxalt announced his campaign for election to the U.S. Senate for Nevada at the annual Basque Frye event. Laxalt has a long history of opposing reproductive freedom—and would do untold harm to women and pregnant people in Nevada and throughout the country. His candidacy comes as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling recognizing the constitutional right to abortion.
As the former Nevada attorney general, Laxalt joined an amicus brief in the Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt Supreme Court case in support of the clinic shutdown laws that the Court ultimately found unconstitutional. In 2018, Laxalt joined an amicus brief in the NIFLA v. Becerra case, supporting a network of anti-choice fake health centers that intentionally lie to people about abortion. Laxalt also supported a lawsuit that attempted to challenge the Affordable Care Act’s birth control benefit in an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in Zubik v. Burwell in 2016.
When running for governor in 2018, Adam Laxalt told KOLO8 that he would “look into” repealing Nevadans’ right to decide, which was affirmed by an overwhelming majority of Nevada voters. The Laxalt campaign attempted to walk back these comments, claiming Laxalt was taken out of context. The news station released the full interview to prove comments were given in context.
NARAL Southwest Regional Director Caroline Mello Roberson released the following statement:
“Adam Laxalt has a long and well-documented record of opposing reproductive freedom—a fundamental right supported by an overwhelming majority of Nevadans. Laxalt has put lives at risk by recklessly pushing for political interference in people’s personal decisions about their health, families, and futures.
With the Supreme Court set to consider a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade, Nevadans need a true leader like Senator Cortez Masto in the U.S. Senate who will vigorously fight to protect the right to abortion and expand access. More than 8 in 10 Nevadans support reproductive freedom—that is not just a majority, but a consensus. Our 44,000 NARAL members in Nevada are gearing up to reelect Sen. Cortez Masto and defeat candidates like Laxalt who are determined to impose their out-of-step and extreme agenda.”
Last week, NARAL Pro-Choice America endorsed Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) for reelection to the U.S. Senate in this race. Sen. Cortez Masto is a fierce leader for reproductive freedom, consistently supporting reproductive freedom throughout her tenure and cosponsoring the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), which would protect the right to abortion throughout the United States by creating a right for healthcare providers to provide abortion care and a corresponding right for people to receive that care, free from medically unnecessary restrictions. WHPA works toward a future where all of us are free to make the personal decisions that shape our lives, our futures, and our families, without political interference.
Nevadans know the importance of proactively safeguarding reproductive freedom. In 2019, the Nevada legislature passed the Trust Nevada Women Act, one of the country’s most significant pieces of legislation on reproductive freedom. The Trust Nevada Women Act marked a historic move by the state to protect and uphold the reproductive freedom of Nevadans.
This U.S. Senate race comes as anti-choice lawmakers across the country are ramping up attacks on reproductive freedom. In the coming months, the U.S. Supreme Court is preparing to hear oral arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization—a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade. At the same time, anti-choice state lawmakers have already introduced, advanced, or passed more than 330 state bills attacking abortion access in 2021. This year, over 90 restrictions on abortion access have been enacted at the state level, making it the worst year for abortion rights since Roe was decided.
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For over 50 years, NARAL Pro-Choice America and its network of state affiliates and chapters have fought to protect and advance reproductive freedom—including access to abortion, contraception, and paid family leave—for every body. NARAL is powered by its more than 2.5 million members from every state and congressional district in the country, representing the 7 in 10 Americans who believe every person should have the freedom to make the best decision for themselves about if, when, and how to raise a family.