OPINION: Planned Parenthood supports Les Gara and Jessica Cook. Here’s why you should too.

Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the decision that affirmed a constitutional right to an abortion. Although abortion remains legal in Alaska for now, the court’s decision opens the doors to attacks on abortion and threatens the health and wellbeing of people in our state. This decision affects all people of Alaska, but let’s be clear about who it will harm the most — Black, Indigenous, people of color, the LGBTQIA community and people with low incomes. Under Roe, many of these communities already didn’t have access to care because of this country’s legacy of racism and discrimination. Like many of you, I am devastated, angry and sad, but I am also ready to fight like hell.

I want to reiterate that right now, abortion is safe and legal in Alaska. Our state constitution includes robust privacy provisions which the Alaska Supreme Court has upheld time and again. But that doesn’t mean we can relax. Already, Gov. Mike Dunleavy has made it clear that he will be asking the Legislature to consider a constitutional amendment that would explicitly remove our right to abortion and open the door to ban abortion care outright. Who we elect this November will determine the future of abortion access in Alaska.

Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates is proud to endorse Les Gara and Jessica Cook for governor and lieutenant governor. Gara and Cook have demonstrated a commitment to supporting reproductive health care, including access to abortion, birth control and sex education. Through our endorsement process, we find, educate, endorse and support candidates who will stand with Planned Parenthood, our patients and communities across Alaska to work in pursuit of sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice for all people.

This was an easy decision for us — simply put, Gara and Cook make up the only ticket committed to preserving the right to abortion. Antiabortion extremists like Gov. Dunleavy are advocating for a constitutional convention, during which they would amend the state constitution to eliminate protections for abortion rights. Former Gov. Walker also showed he cannot be trusted to protect our rights. While in office, Walker had a proven record of supporting antiabortion policies and has donated to anti-choice politicians, including then-Sen. Dunleavy. Actions speak louder than words, and Les Gara is a proven champion who has fought for us in the House.

We know it’s hard to hear it will take years to get our rights back on a federal level, but now is the time to commit to the fight. The future we are striving for is one we have not yet seen, one where everyone has access to safe, legal abortion. Roe was the floor; we are fighting for the ceiling.

Rose O’Hara-Jolley is Alaska State Director for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates.

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