PPIA's Primary Election Endorsements

Today PPIA announced our endorsements for the March 20th Primary Election. We made endorsements in races for the U.S. Congress, the Illinois Supreme Court, the Illinois Senate and the Illinois House of Representatives.

We endorsed the following candidates for Congress: Bobby Rush (D-1), Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-2), Luis Gutierrez (D-4), Mike Quigley (D-5), Danny Davis (D-7), Janice Schakowsky (D-9), and Cheri Bustos (D-17).

“After this past year’s incessant attacks on women’s health care in Congress, we know the importance of electing candidates who support access to reproductive health care, including birth control and abortion services,” said Carole Brite, President and CEO of PPIA.

Recognizing the importance of the courts in interpreting laws related to reproductive health care, PPIA endorsed Justice Mary Jane Theis for the 1st District seat on the Illinois Supreme Court.

"Justice Theis is one of the most well respected judges in Illinois,” said Brite. “She has outstanding experience and credentials. She will make sure that people are heard and treated fairly in our justice system.”

PPIA endorsed these candidates for the Illinois Senate: William Delgado (D-2), Mattie Hunter (D-3), Kimberly Lightford (D-4), Annazette Collins (D-5), John Cullerton (D-6), Heather Steans (D-7), Ira Silverstein (D-8), Daniel Biss (D-9), John Mulroe (D-10), Martin Sandoval (D-11), Kwame Raoul (D-13), Emil Jones, III (D-14), Donna Miller (D-15), Donne Trotter (D-17), Iris Martinez (D-20), Michael Noland (D-22), Thomas Cullerton (D-23), Corrine Pierog (D-25), Amanda Howland (D-26), Daniel Kotowski (D-28), Julie Morrison (D-29), Terry Link (D-30), Melinda Bush (D-31), Steven Stadelman (D-34), Christine Benson (D-38), Don Harmon (D-39), Toi Hutchinson (D-40), Linda Holmes (D-42), Dave Koehler (D-46), Michael Frerichs (D-52), Danny Stover (D-54), James Clayborne, Jr. (D-57).

“Last year the Illinois Senate passed a comprehensive, age-appropriate, and medically accurate sex education bill,” said Brite. “By electing officials who support access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care and education, we will improve the lives of all Illinoisans.”

PPIA endorsed these candidates for the Illinois House of Representatives: Daniel Burke (D-1), Edward Acevedo (D-2), Luis Arroyo (D-3), Cynthia Soto (D-4), Kenneth Dunkin (D-5), Emanuel “Chris” Welch (D-7), Arthur Turner (D-9), Derrick Smith (D-10), Ann Williams (D-11), Sara Feigenholtz (D-12), Gregory Harris (D-13, Kelly Cassidy (D-14), Lou Lang (D-16), Laura Fine (F-17), Robyn Gabel (D-18), Robert Martwick (D-19), Bruce Randazzo (D-20), Barbara Flynn Currie (D-25), Christian Mitchell (D-26), Monique Davis (D-27), Robert Rita (D-28), Thaddeus Jones (D-29), William Davis, (D-30), Elgie Sims, Jr. (D-32), Al Riley (D-38), Maria Antonia “Toni” Berrios (D-39), Deborah Mell (D-40), Keith Farnham (D-43), Martin Moylan (D-55), Michelle Mussman (D-56), Elaine Nekritz (D-57), Scott Drury (D-58), Ed Erwin (D-61), Sandy Cole (R-62), Charles “Chuck” Jefferson (D-67), Carl Wasco (D-68), Mike Smiddy (D-71), Patrick Verschoore (D-72), Camille Lilly (D-78), Anthony DeLuca (D-80), Emily McAsey (D-85), Jehan Gordon (D-92), Winston Taylor (D-96), Tom Cross (R-97), Natalie Manley (D-98), Naomi Jakobsson (D-103), and Eddie Lee Jackson (D-114).

We endorsed both Carol Sente (D) and Sidney Mathias (R) for the 59th House district.

“Yet again in the Illinois House, a woman’s right to access health care without government intrusion is under attack,” said Brite. “In order to protect our rights, we must stand behind candidates who stand up for the women and families of Illinois.”

All pro-choice/pro-Planned Parenthood incumbents receive an endorsement regardless of the position of the opponent.

PPIA engages in educational and electoral activity, including public education campaigns, grassroots organizing and legislative advocacy on behalf of commonsense policies that protect the reproductive health and rights of women, teens and families. To see a list of PPIA endorsed candidates online click here!

Technorati tags: Planned Parenthood, Candidates, Primary Election, Women's Rights, Pro-Choice