Press Release
NARAL Pro-Choice America Celebrates as Reproductive Freedom Champion Christy Smith Advances to Run-Off Election in Bid to Represent California’s 25th Congressional District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, March 9, 2020
CONTACT: [email protected]
NARAL Pro-Choice America Celebrates as Reproductive Freedom Champion Christy Smith Advances to Run-Off Election in Bid to Represent California’s 25th Congressional District
CALIFORNIA — In last week’s special election to fill the seat for California’s 25th congressional district, Democratic candidate Christy Smith earned enough votes to advance to a run-off election.
In December 2019, NARAL Pro-Choice America announced its endorsement of California Assemblywoman Christy Smith in her bid to represent California’s 25th Congressional District and succeed Rep. Katie Hill. In 2018, with the support of NARAL Pro-Choice California, Assemblywoman Smith flipped a seat in the state legislature (Assembly District 38) to replace an anti-choice Republican in a district that had been Republican-held since 1978.
NARAL Pro-Choice California knocked on 680 doors in this special election to support Christy Smith, as well as making over 1,350 calls and contacting over 5,000 voters in the district through our text and digital program, all part of our push to keep this seat in pro-choice hands. NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue also joined Christy Smith as well as prominent Democratic elected officials including Senator Kamala Harris and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti at a huge GOTV rally in Santa Clarita on Sunday, March 1.
In reaction to Christy Smith’s advancement to the run-off election, NARAL Pro-Choice Califoria Director Shannon Hovis issued the following statement:
“Californians committed to the right to access abortion are fired up and ready to hold on to California’s 25th congressional district – making sure that voters in this district are represented by the pro-choice champion that they deserve.
“In 2018, voters sent a clear message to extreme anti-choice Republicans when they flipped this district and sent a champion for reproductive freedom to Washington.
“With reproductive freedom under attack across this country, champions like Christy Smith, who are tireless in their dedication to defending our fundamental freedoms, are exactly the kind of representatives we need in Congress. We are proud to support Smith and will continue to back her campaign to represent the people of California’s 25th congressional district.”
NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue said:
“With reproductive freedom under attack across the country, we need champions like Christy Smith fighting for our values in Congress now more than ever. Voters sent a clear message in 2018 when they flipped this district blue and sent a Democratic majority to the House. Christy Smith has shown she will fight for the vast majority of Americans who believe women should be able to make their own decisions about pregnancy with the support of those they love and trust.”
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 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.”