Planned Parenthood Affiliates of CA VOTES PAC Launches Seven-Figure “We Decide CA” Campaign to Defeat Abortion Opponents in Key U.S. House Races

May 14, 2024

Contact: Jennifer Wonnacott

[email protected]

Sacramento, CA – Today, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California VOTES PAC (PPAC VOTES) launched a statewide, seven-figure electoral campaign in response to mounting threats to reproductive health and rights throughout the country. “We Decide CA,” targets the dangerous anti-abortion agenda of eight competitive Congressional House races up and down the state. The focused strategy aims to thwart a nationwide abortion ban and safeguard access to reproductive health care in California.

The campaign launched today with a website, video, and digital assets, as well as a six-figure digital ad buy across the state.

Abortion opponents have worked for decades to dismantle sexual and reproductive health care nationwide. In the two years since Roe v. Wade was overturned, their tactics have only escalated: 21 states now ban all, or some, abortion, and attacks are being waged on emergency abortion care, IVF, birth control, and more. With the White House, U.S. Senate and House up for grabs, the high stakes of the November election place our fundamental freedoms on the line.

“The road to freedom runs through California,” said Jodi Hicks, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. “Every Californian needs to know that if abortion is banned nationwide, it will impact our state too. But Californians can help stop a national abortion ban by electing members of Congress who support reproductive freedom. Eight in 10 Americans believe that decisions about abortion should be made by a patient and their doctor, not politicians. That’s why we must hold politicians working to take away our rights accountable for their anti-abortion agenda and win this November. And abortion wins, plain and simple.”

The We Decide CA campaign will target eight congressional districts in California, seven of which are controlled by lawmakers who oppose abortion, and will determine whether the House is controlled by unapologetic abortion rights supporters or abortion opponents:

• CA03: Defeat incumbent Rep. Kevin Kiley and Elect Jessica Morse
• CA13: Defeat incumbent Rep. John Duarte and Elect Adam Gray
• CA22: Defeat incumbent Rep. David Valadao and Elect Rudy Salas
• CA27: Defeat incumbent Rep. Mike Garcia and Elect George Whitesides
• CA40: Defeat incumbent Rep. Young Kim and Elect Joe Kerr
• CA41: Defeat incumbent Rep. Ken Calvert and Elect Will Rollins
• CA45: Defeat incumbent Rep. Michelle Steel and Elect Derek Tan
• CA47: Defeat Scott Baugh and Elect Dave Min

Over the past two years abortion rights and reproductive freedom have dominated elections throughout the country, including here in California. With the House of Representatives majority decided by a mere three seats, these eight districts — where California’s Reproductive Freedom initiative (Prop 1) won handedly in 2022 — will determine control for the next two years. PPAC VOTES’ seven-figure campaign will persuade and mobilize voters in key districts through paid media and direct voter contact initiatives.

PPAC VOTES is working in coordination with national Planned Parenthood Votes which announced in March it will prioritize U.S. House races during the 2024 election cycle, including investments in California.

“Politicians like those in these targeted districts are hellbent on making things worse by imposing a nationwide abortion ban and robbing us of our personal freedoms But Planned Parenthood Votes and local Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations will be working hard to remind them and voters that at no point in pregnancy are politicians more qualified to make decisions about your health than you and your health care providers — that includes whether to have an abortion,” said Jenny Lawson, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Votes.

“We know voters care deeply about abortion and don’t agree with what is happening across the country. The We Decide CA campaign will shine a spotlight on the fact that some members here in California are out of touch and committed to worsening the chaos and confusion we've witnessed because of abortion bans. The incumbents in these districts have bad records on the issue of abortion and have expressed support for a national abortion ban — not to mention their records on birth control, IVF, and more that the voters need to know about. We will make sure voters know where these candidates stand on the issues that matter to them,” concluded Hicks.

###