Planned Parenthood Votes NJ Welcomes New Assemblymembers to Trenton as Attacks on Reproductive Freedom Continue Across U.S.

TRENTON, NJ – Yesterday, more than 40 supporters of Planned Parenthood Votes NJ gathered together in support of efforts to elect champions for reproductive freedom in New Jersey. Just days after the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade, states across the country continue their race to the bottom by proposing laws that would impose a 15-year prison sentence for helping young people access abortion care. It’s more important than ever to support candidates and elected officials who will unapologetically support access to the full range of reproductive health care services.

“As New Jerseyans head to the polls in 2024 and 2025, reproductive freedom is at stake,” said Jackie Cornell, executive director of Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey and a trustee of Planned Parenthood Votes New Jersey. “Just as they did this past November, voters will make their voices heard and support candidates who champion reproductive health and rights.”

The event featured several recently sworn-in legislators, all of whom were endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey: Assemblywomen Alixon Collazos-Gill (LD-27), Garnet Hall (LD-28), Andrea Katz (LD-8), and Tennille McCoy (LD-14).

“It was an honor to be invited to speak at Planned Parenthood Votes NJ’s event yesterday in support of the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade,” said Assemblywoman Alixon Collazos-Gill.  “The celebration has been dimmed in great part to the more recent Supreme Court which overturned Roe v. Wade. As we all know the Supreme Court has left that decision up to the states, it is therefore my responsibility to continue to ensure that New Jersey remains a safe haven for women to make their own choice when it comes to their health.”

“Planned Parenthood has provided generations of New Jersey women quality family planning care since its founding, and led the effort to enshrine women’s reproductive rights into law just six months prior to the disastrous Roe reversal,” said Assemblywoman Garnet Hall. “I have been a patient of Planned Parenthood, as has my daughter and her friends. It is critical that my granddaughter, and all the women of our state, have a safe place to secure reproductive health care. I pledge to continue the fight for expanded access. Our lives, and our quality of life, depend upon it.”

“One of the reasons that I chose to run for State Assembly was because of the anger, fear, and disgust that I felt after the Dobbs decision,” said Assemblywoman Andrea Katz. “It was more proof that rights are never guaranteed, and we must continue to fight for them. That’s what I will do every day in the State Assembly.”

“I will continue to emphasize, loudly and repeatedly, that abortion access is not a radical notion,” said Assemblywoman Tennille McCoy. “We must not allow anyone to demonize a woman’s right to choose what is best for her own body.”

Today’s event was chaired by Karen Kominsky and Jackie Cornell. The host committee included Justin Braz, Ray Ferraioli, Brendan Gill, Kellie LeDet, Grace Power, and Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey.

“It’s so important to support Planned Parenthood,” said event chair Karen Kominsky. “We need to continually come together to share, educate and organize around one of the most significant issues of our day – protecting reproductive rights and health care choices for all. We do this in honor of those who fought this fight for us, but most importantly to protect our daughters and sons and the generations to come.”

Left to right: Assemblywoman Alixon Collazos-Gill, Karen Kominsky, Jackie Cornell, Assemblywoman Andrea Katz, Assemblywoman Garnet Hall, Assemblywoman Tennille McCoy

Left to right: Karen Kominsky, Jackie Cornell, Assemblywoman Garnet Hall, Assemblywoman Andrea Katz, Assemblywoman Tennille McCoy, Assemblywoman Alixon Collazos-Gill

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Planned Parenthood Votes New Jersey (PPVNJ) is a nonpartisan political action committee that supports candidates for state and local office who are committed to protecting and expanding reproductive freedom.