Women’s rights and health advocates announce Women For Murphy campaign

Women leaders across the state say Murphy is the only gubernatorial candidate committed to women’s reproductive health and rights

TRENTON, NJ — Today, women leaders from across the state gathered at the Trenton War Memorial to announce the Women For Murphy campaign and launch WomenForMurphy.com. The kickoff corresponds with the start of Breast Cancer Awareness, Gynecological Cancer Awareness, and Hispanic Heritage Month.

Speakers and supporters met on the steps of the War Memorial – the site of the Women’s March on Trenton that drew more than 7,000 women and allies to Trenton this January. Speakers encouraged voters in November’s gubernatorial election to support women’s rights by voting for Murphy. They point to dismal women’s health statistics as proof of the damage done by the Christie administration, including Murphy’s opponent, Lt. Gov. Guadagno.

After nearly eight years of slashing funding to women’s health services, like breast and cervical cancer screenings and STD testing and treatment, New Jersey is in the midst of a public health crisis. Between 2009 and 2013, the number of breast and cervical cancer cases has risen 5.2 percent among all New Jersey women, with a disproportionate impact on communities of color. The rate of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is also rising in the state – 11 out of New Jersey’s 21 counties have seen an increase in new STD cases of nearly 50 percent or more.

“Guadagno stood by in silence while Christie cut funding for desperately needed women’s health services,” said Christine Sadovy, political and legislative director with Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey. “Phil Murphy has promised to fund reproductive health services. A vote for Phil Murphy is a vote for the women of New Jersey.”

Recent polling from the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute and the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling at Rutgers showed that women’s health is a key issue for voters in this election, with 78 percent of New Jersey voters supporting state funding for family planning services.

In New Jersey more than 90,000 people visit a Planned Parenthood health center each year. Murphy is the only candidate who has directly come out in support of Planned Parenthood and other family planning providers. Murphy is running on the pledge to be a strong leader for accessible birth control, ensuring that contraception remains available to New Jersey women with no out-of-pocket costs and addressing alarming increases in STDs within the state. While Murphy’s opponent Lt. Gov. Guadagno claims to be “pro-choice,” she is on record opposing funding for Planned Parenthood because the organization also provides safe and legal abortion.

Women’s health is not the only issue that Murphy leads on. Dena Mottola Jaborska from New Jersey Citizen Action and Analilia Mejia from Working Families Alliance addressed Murphy’s pledge to raise the minimum wage, guarantee equal pay for equal work, and expand paid family leave insurance – economic justice issues that impact women and families’ ability to lead healthy lives – and Patricia Campos from LUPE PAC addressed President Trump’s harmful immigration policies.

“Phil Murphy has shown that he will stand with New Jersey women and lead on these essential issues,” said Kay LiCausi of PAM’s List. “Women in New Jersey have a choice to make – and Phil Murphy is the right choice.”

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Paid for by Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey, 196 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown, New Jersey 07960. This expenditure was not made with the cooperation or prior consent of, or in consultation with, or at the request or suggestion of, any candidate, or person or committee acting on behalf of the candidate. Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey (PPAFNJ) is a nonpartisan 501(c)(4) non-profit social welfare organization, and the advocacy arm of the Planned Parenthood Affiliates in New Jersey. We advocate for access to essential health care through education, activism, voter engagement, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy. For more information, visit our website at: www.ppactionnj.org.

Contact: Casey Olesko 201.647.5502 / Casey.Olesko@ppgnnj.org