Two years ago, the right wing majority of the Supreme Court stripped away a constitutional right that women had enjoyed for nearly half a century--the right to abortion care. It was the first time that our highest court ruled to take away rather than expand rights and freedoms. 

Writing for the majority, Justice Alito said that the right to make abortion laws should be returned to “the people’s elected representatives at the state level.” That cemented my decision to run for state representative. As a mother of four girls and a former patient escort for Planned Parenthood, I wanted to make sure that CT would be a safe haven for women seeking reproductive health care. 

I am proud to say that in the last two years, we have strengthened reproductive rights and protections in CT: 

• In 2022, CT passed a first in the nation shield law protecting health care providers and patients from legal action by hostile states wishing to criminalize abortion beyond their own borders.
• In 2023 we strengthened protections for providers to shield them from licensure repercussions if they become subject to litigation for providing health care that is legal in CT. 
• Pharmacists can now prescribe emergency contraceptives, and we guaranteed their availability in cases of emergency.

Our work is not done. 

Right wing extremists are emboldened and have begun to call for national bans on abortion, contraception, in vitro fertilization and even emergency care for pregnant patients. Attorneys general from red states are preparing more challenges to the use of safe, FDA-approved abortion medication. As a member of the Reproductive Rights Caucus, I am at the forefront of our efforts to protect women’s health and women’s freedom of choice. 

Justice Alito rationalized, “Women are not without electoral or political power.” He was right. As I mentioned, the fall of Roe  sparked my decision to run for office, and I hope it will ignite your decision to vote for me this November. 

If you’d like to join my campaign, I'd love to have you. Volunteer and donate here. And if you can’t spare the time, then just make a note to vote this November. 

Sincerely,