Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts Announces Primary Election Endorsements

PPAF is backing candidates from the Berkshires to the Cape and Islands that will champion the expansion of reproductive rights and health care access in Massachusetts 

BOSTON – Today, the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts (PPAF) released its slate of state legislative primary endorsements for the 2024 election. With many open seats in play, PPAF is looking to expand the pro-reproductive rights majority in the Massachusetts House and Senate, particularly in southeastern Massachusetts districts where access to abortion services remains limited.  

“Right now, patients here and around the country are counting on Massachusetts to make abortion, contraception, LGBTQ+ health care, and sex education as accessible as possible, especially in the face of a possible federal administration hell-bent on eliminating access to these services. That's why we must elect lawmakers that are bold, effective, unapologetic champions for reproductive freedom from the Berkshires to Cape Cod and everywhere in between,” said Dominique Lee, President of the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts. “The stakes have never been higher in the fight for reproductive rights and health care access. The Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund is proud to endorse this group of leaders that will fight for every person’s right to make decisions about their health, body, and future.” 

PPAF endorses candidates who have strong records supporting reproductive rights and who will continue to prioritize the health and wellbeing of Planned Parenthood patients and health care providers in the face of unprecedented attacks on bodily autonomy and the most severe restrictions on sexual and reproductive health care in 50 years. While the right to abortion is protected in Massachusetts under the ROE Act, PPAF’s legislative priorities focus on making abortion care more accessible and affordable statewide, protecting patients and providers that seek or deliver care that is legal in Massachusetts, expanding access to birth control and comprehensive sex education across the state, and combatting systemic health inequities especially for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities.   

The Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts is proud to endorse*: 

For State Senate: 

Paul Mark - Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin, and Hampshire 

Paul Feeney - Bristol and Norfolk 

Julian Cyr - Cape and Islands 

Adam Gomez - Hampden 

Dylan Fernandes - Plymouth and Barnstable*

Lydia Edwards - 3rd Suffolk 

John Cronin - Worcester and Middlesex 

 

For State Representative: 

Arielle Reid Faria - Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket*

Kathy Fox Alfano - 3rd Barnstable 

Hadley Luddy - 4th Barnstable*

Owen Fletcher - 5th Barnstable 

Leigh Davis - 3rd Berkshire*

Adam Scanlon – 14th Bristol 

Kristin Kassner – 2nd Essex 

Johnnie McKnight - 11th Hampden 

Margaret Scarsdale - 1st Middlesex  

Jack Patrick Lewis - 7th Middlesex 

Tom Stanley - 9th Middlesex  

Tara Hong - 18th Middlesex  

Marjorie Decker - 25th Middlesex 

Erika Uyterhoeven - 27th Middlesex 

Nichole Mossalam - 35th Middlesex 

Rebecca Coletta - 6th Plymouth*

Jay Livingstone - 8th Suffolk 

John F. Moran – 9th Suffolk 

Natalie Higgins - 4th Worcester 

Jeanne Costello - 6th Worcester 

 

PPAF had previously announced early endorsements for legislative champions Representative Aaron Michlewitz (3rd Suffolk) and Senator Cindy Friedman (4th Middlesex), who are both seeking reelection.  

 

To earn PPAF’s endorsement, candidates must complete a questionnaire or interview that evaluates their support for PPAF’s legislative priorities and win a two-thirds vote from the PPAF Board. PPAF is a non-partisan organization and invites Democrat, Republican, and independent candidates to participate in the endorsement process. 

*indicates open seat