Press Release California
Press Release
NARAL Pro-Choice California Endorses Dawn Addis, Susan Eggman, Shelly Masur, Kipp Mueller, and Chris Ward for Election to the California State Legislature
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, February 12, 2020
CONTACT: [email protected]
NARAL Pro-Choice California Endorses Dawn Addis, Susan Eggman, Shelly Masur, Kipp Mueller, and Chris Ward for Election to the California State Legislature
Candidates Earn Endorsement from State’s Leading Pro-Choice Advocacy Group
SACRAMENTO – Today, NARAL Pro-Choice California is announcing its endorsement of five candidates running to challenge anti-choice incumbents or running for open seats to the California State Assembly and Senate – Dawn Addis (AD-35), Susan Eggman (SD-5), Shelly Masur (SD-13), Kipp Mueller (SD-21) and Chris Ward (AD-78). All of the endorsed candidates have demonstrated a commitment to championing reproductive freedom for all in the state.
“We are proud to support a number of new candidates, all reproductive freedom champions, for seats in the California State Legislature,” said Shannon Hovis, Director of NARAL Pro-Choice California. “Dawn Addis, Susan Eggman, Shelly Masur, Kipp Mueller, and Chris Ward have proven their dedication to reproductive freedom, going above and beyond to stand up for the reproductive rights of all people. They will bring a deep commitment to expanding reproductive freedom for every person in California. We look forward to helping them win.”
- Dawn Addis (AD-35) is the founder and lead organizer of Women’s March San Luis Obispo and has organized marches, rallies, and conferences to support womxn and girls, including the local “Stop the Bans” rally in May 2019.
- Susan Eggman (SD-5) is the current Assemblymember in AD-13 and has previously served as the chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus, where she partnered with the Attorney General and reproductive rights advocates to oppose and combat the domestic gag rule.
- Shelly Masur (SD-13) started her political activism in the 80s defending women’s clinics in Los Angeles and later serving as the president of the New York Clinic Defense Task Force. Shelly has previously worked for the Teen Pregnancy Coalition of San Mateo County and was an active member of the California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom.
- Kipp Mueller (SD-21) is running on the platform that reproductive freedoms are a fundamental human and constitutional right. During Kavanaugh’s confirmation, Kipp flew to DC to protest and occupied Senator Collins’ office because of the threat that Kavanaugh poses to women’s rights.
- Chris Ward (AD-78) is running to expand access to paid family leave and childcare, recognizing that these supports are critical to the success of a family.
“I am inspired and proud to be endorsed by NARAL, an organization that speaks up for reproductive rights and is in the frontlines for all women,” explained Dawn Addis, candidate for Assembly District 35.
“I am honored to receive the endorsement of NARAL California- a group who passionately shares my deep commitment to organizing our communities for women’s reproductive rights. I have fought for women’s empowerment throughout my entire life and I promise you as your next CA State Senator, I will always have your back,” said Susan Talamantes Eggman, Candidate for CA State Senate District 5.
“I have spent my whole adult life fighting for reproductive rights – defending clinics, marching, developing and teaching comprehensive sexuality education, and advocating for policy change” stated Shelly Masur, candidate for Senate District 13. “I’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with NARAL for years so I am thrilled to have the endorsement of NARAL Pro-Choice California and look forward to being a leading voice for reproductive freedom in the State Senate.”
“I have always stood as an ally with women, fighting for their right to access to quality, safe and affordable comprehensive reproductive health care. It is an honor to have the support of NARAL in my race for State Senate,” said Kipp Mueller, candidate in Senate District 21. “I look forward to working with them to continue to protect and advocate for women and families across California.”
“As an advocate and now a local official, standing for choice has been unwavering. Now as a parent of a daughter and aspiring member of the State Assembly, I am more resolved than ever to defend a woman’s reproductive rights and support access for all,” said Chris Ward, candidate for Assembly District 78. “I am grateful for the endorsement of NARAL Pro-Choice California and look forward to working as a partner with you for progress.”
NARAL Pro-Choice California PrivacyPAC has previously endorsed in the following open seat and challenger races: Katrina Foley (SD-37), Melissa Fox (AD-68), dual endorsement of Kris Goodfellow and Abigail Medina (SD-23), Monique Limón (SD-19), Josh Newman (SD-29), Diedre Thu-Ha Nguyen (AD-72), and Ann Ravel (SD-15).
NARAL Pro-Choice California PrivacyPAC has also already endorsed the following incumbent champions: Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (AD-16), Tasha Boerner Horvath (AD-76), David Chiu (AD-17), Lena Gonzalez (SD-33), Cottie Petrie-Norris (AD-74), Buffy Wicks (AD-15), Rob Bonta (AD-18), Marc Berman, (AD-24), Laura Friedman (AD-43), Lorena Gonzalez (AD-80), Scott Weiner (SD-11) and Jim Wood (AD-02). Visit NARAL Pro-Choice California’s website for a full list of endorsements in California.
A 2018 poll by NARAL Pro-Choice California showed that reproductive rights was a key issue for state voters, with eighty percent of respondents saying women’s rights and reproductive freedoms are important to how they vote.
NARAL Pro-Choice America and its network of state affiliates and chapters are dedicated to protecting and expanding reproductive freedom for all. For more than 50 years, NARAL has worked to guarantee that every woman has the right to make personal decisions regarding the full range of reproductive choices, including preventing unintended pregnancy, bearing healthy children, and choosing legal abortion. Since 1969, NARAL has made history, grown to over 2.5 million members, and met the moments that have defined this fight with action, power and freedom. In recognition of its work defending our constitutional right to choose, Fortune Magazine described NARAL as “one of the top 10 advocacy groups in America.”