Week in Review 11-8-2019
The Democrats' successes in Kentucky and Virginia this week gives us some hope for protecting Roe v Wade and standing up to the NRA. But that hope is tempered with concern and caution following Jeff Session's decision to challenge Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL).
Newly-elected Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who is pro-choice, has vowed to oppose abortion restrictions. Kentucky has some of the strictest abortion bans in the country, including a "heartbeat ban," which outlaws the procedure after about six weeks. There is only one Planned Parenthood clinic in the state.
Beshear will not appeal the lower courts ruling that blocked Kentucky's heartbeat law. Gov. Matt Bevin wanted to appeal the decision to push the case to the Supreme Court in hopes the high court would overturn Roe v. Wade.
Beshear's win in a state that went for Trump by 30 points raises the chances for Senate candidate Amy McGrath to defeat Mitch McConnell.
McConnell, considered one the least popular Senators in the country, is also extremely unpopular in his home state. After Tuesday night, voters may finally be ready to say goodbye to McConnell.
Several states away in Alabama, we are gearing up for a monumental battle where women's rights and reproductive freedom will be a central focus. Sessions has a long, aggressive record of attacking women's access to health care and safe and legal abortion. He has referred to Roe v Wade as "one of the worst, colossally erroneous Supreme Court decisions of all time."
While the choice issues was certainly important in the Virginia races, polling showed the top issue was gun violence prevention. Voters elected candidates that can now enact laws that will save lives. Gun safety groups outspent the NRA, proving that the gun groups influence could be waning.
With the election less than a year away, we must build on these successes to ensure that Amy McGrath and Sen. Doug Jones win their races. (Click here to donate.)
Tuesday was the beginning of the blue wave. We can win nationwide if we continue to support candidates, get involved, and keep the momentum rolling.
