Planned Parenthood to target Republican seats in California with focus on abortion issue.
Planned Parenthood is gearing up for a significant campaign effort to unseat GOP incumbents from California congressional seats, all in a bid to prevent a Republican majority from passing restrictive abortion laws, including a potential national ban.
Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California has set its sights on eight districts where voters have historically supported Republicans but also backed a constitutional amendment guaranteeing access to abortion and contraceptives. The group plans to launch an aggressive advertising campaign that will highlight each incumbent’s voting record against reproductive rights.
The Republican party remains unfazed by these efforts, expressing confidence that voters will look beyond single issues and consider the broader political landscape. One incumbent, Rep. Ken Calvert, brushed off concerns about a threat to reproductive care in California, emphasizing his belief in leaving such personal issues to the states and opposing a national abortion ban.
With California holding 52 congressional seats, the state’s political leanings could have a significant impact on control of the U.S. House. However, Planned Parenthood faces challenges as it targets seven Republican-held seats and only one open seat, previously occupied by Democrat Katie Porter.
Analysts suggest that reproductive rights have become a more prominent issue for voters than anticipated, with Jodi Hicks of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California voicing optimism about the group’s chances in key districts.
While focusing primarily on House races, Planned Parenthood is also keeping an eye on neighboring states, with advocacy efforts extending into Nevada. Nationally, the organization plans to spend $40 million across several states, including Arizona, Georgia, Montana, and others.
In California, the campaign aims to highlight the voting records of certain members of Congress, such as Rep. Kevin Kiley, who supported measures that could penalize doctors providing abortions. Other representatives, including Young Kim, Michelle Steel, Mike Garcia, and David Valadao, have voted against access to birth control and co-sponsored bills that could effectively ban abortions nationwide.
Amidst these efforts, Republican leaders like James Gallagher have pointed to a lack of trust in Democrats to safeguard healthcare rights, despite supporting legal abortion. Gallagher highlighted issues such as hospital closures and bankruptcies occurring under Democratic leadership.
A February KFF poll revealed that while many Republican voters who support legal abortion trust their own party on the issue, a significant portion remains skeptical of both major parties. Political science experts like Ivy Cargile caution that assumptions about protected reproductive rights in California may overlook the impact of federal law.
Planned Parenthood’s campaign seeks to emphasize the potential consequences of electing Republicans for Central Valley and Southern California voters, warning of a national abortion ban. The organization aims to connect the dots for voters, making a case for supporting Democratic candidates as a means to safeguard reproductive rights.
Despite these efforts, some voters in traditionally Republican districts remain steadfast in their support for GOP candidates, citing concerns beyond abortion rights, such as economic policies, crime rates, and Second Amendment protections. While Planned Parenthood’s campaign may hold sway for some, others like Rose Large express skepticism about its potential to influence their voting decisions.
This article was produced by KFF Health News, an independent newsroom dedicated to providing comprehensive coverage of health issues. KFF Health News is a leading source for health policy research, polling, and in-depth journalism.
