BOSTON – In a major, joint announcement today, Ed Markey and Planned Parenthood acting president and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson announced that the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the political advocacy arm of the largest reproductive health care provider in the country, is endorsing Markey for re-election to the United States Senate.

“I am incredibly grateful to the Planned Parenthood Action Fund for its endorsement,” said Senator Markey. “More than ever, in this country we need to stand up and raise our voices against the Trump administration’s work to restrict a woman’s access to reproductive rights. Whether it is state legislatures trying to restrict access to health clinics, the confirmation of anti-choice judges, or the assault on Title X funding, reproductive freedom is under attack. This is about the freedom to make decisions in our personal lives without the fear of interference from our government, and it’s a fight we cannot lose. I am proud to join the Planned Parenthood Action Fund as we declare that women’s rights will not be violated.”

Alexis McGill Johnson added, “We are proud to endorse Ed Markey for re-election to the U.S. Senate because he has been a stalwart champion for reproductive health care access and rights for decades. He believes everyone’s reproductive health decisions should be made between a patient and their health care provider. From the halls of the Supreme Court to the halls of local health centers, Senator Markey has shown us his determination to fight the Trump administration’s all-out assault on women’s health. He has been critical to the fight for reproductive rights and we know he’ll continue the fight in his next term.”

Planned Parenthood health centers are one of the nation’s leading provider of high-quality, affordable health care. Planned Parenthood health centers offer compassionate care, backed by medical experts and more than 100 years of research in reproductive health. Planned Parenthood health centers provide services to millions of Americans in 31 states.

The Planned Parenthood Action Fund’s endorsement adds to a growing list and wide range of national and statewide support for Ed Markey.

In August of 2019, Ed Markey was endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice America and NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts.

Senator Markey has served in the United States Senate since winning the special election in 2013 and has amassed a deep record on environmental, climate, gun safety, and consumer protection issues. His leadership has led to the expansion of opioid recovery and treatment services, strengthening online privacy laws, and historic investments in medical and health research. Raised in Malden, Ed Markey has always stood up for the priorities of Massachusetts.

Roe v. Wade is a landmark 1973 case that established a woman’s constitutional right to make her own reproductive health care decisions, including the right to an abortion. The right to abortion that was enshrined in Roe increased safety, dignity, autonomy, and economic security for women. In the coming months, the Supreme Court – with Trump appointed Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh – will hear a case seeking to uphold a Louisiana abortion law that is nearly identical to the Texas law struck down by the Supreme Court in 2016 in Whole Woman’s Health. Despite the fact that over 70% of Americans support Roe and access to abortion, anti-choice politicians have unleashed unprecedented attacks on abortion rights and access in recent years. Since 2011, state legislatures have passed nearly 450 abortion restrictions.

Ed Markey has also received the endorsement of female legislators across the Commonwealth including:

Senate President Karen Spilka – Ashland
Senator Jo Comerford – Northampton
Senator Cynthia Creem – Newton
Senator Cindy Friedman – Arlington
Senator Anne Gobi – Spencer
Senator Patricia Jehlen – Somerville
Senator Rebecca Rausch – Needham
Representative Ruth Balser – Newton
Representative Christine Barber – Somerville
Representative Natalie Blais – Sunderland
Representative Michelle Ciccolo – Lexington
Representative Marjorie Decker – Cambridge
Representative Michelle Dubois – Brockton
Representative Carolyn Dykema – Holliston
Representative Lori Ehrlich – Marblehead
Representative Nika Elugardo – Boston
Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier – Pittsfield
Representative Carole Fiola – Fall River
Representative Tami Gouveia – Acton
Representative Danielle Gregoire – Marlborough
Representative Pat Haddad – Somerset
Representative Natalie Higgins – Leominster
Representative Kay Khan – Newton
Representative Kathleen Lanatra – Kingston
Representative Joan Lovely – Salem
Representative Elizabeth Malia – Boston
Representative Joan Meschino – Hull
Representative Christina Minicucci – North Andover
Representative Liz Miranda – Boston
Representative Tram Nguyen – Andover
Representative Sarah Peake – Provincetown
Representative Alice Peisch – Wellesley
Representative Denise Provost – Somerville
Representative Maria Robinson – Framingham
Representative Lindsay Sabadosa – Northampton
Representative RoseLee Vincent – Revere

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