LD25 Democrats Endorsed by #VoteProChoice and Womens’ Groups

Jefferson Twp., NJ: Christine Clarke has received a number of endorsements from prominent women’s rights groups in the bid to unseat the anti-choice Republican Senate GOP leader Anthony M. Bucco, including #VoteProChoice, Vote Mama PAC, Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey, NOW New Jersey PAC, and PAM’s List, as well as democratic organizations that support women’s full reproductive healthcare rights. Her teammates, Dr. Jonathan Torres and Diane Salvatore for State Assembly, have received most of these endorsements as well.

“#VoteProChoice is proud to endorse Christine Clarke, Dr. Jonathan Torres and Diane Salvatore in the New Jersey legislature's 25th District. It's more vital than ever that we elect pro-choice champions at the state and local level. States like New Jersey, where abortion has remained legal, have become critical access points for people across the country who are forced to travel for care. In the wake of the Dobbs decision, we've seen state legislators across the country step up to defend abortion access: codifying reproductive rights into law, approving budget allocations to expand abortion access, and more. New Jersey has been a leader in this space, and we know that Christine, Jonathan and Diane are committed to using the powers of the state legislature to expand reproductive freedom and ensure that everyone in New Jersey has the ability to decide if, when, and how to raise a safe and thriving family. We're proud to stand behind them!" said Carly LeQuire, Director of Research and Voter Products.

Clarke’s opponent, incumbent LD25 State Senator Anthony M. Bucco, has sponsored bills to restrict women’s access to reproductive healthcare funding and services including abortion. His “Born Alive Abortion Survivors Act,” S673, could prohibit abortion before some women know they are pregnant. The bill would also give the unfinished developing tissue full legal personhood as if a fully-developed born child, and jail doctors for up to 30 years if they perform an abortion. Fines and penalties would be imposed on the doctor’s staff if they don’t turn the doctor in under the mandatory reporting requirements included in the bill. In the prior legislative session, Asw. Aura Dunn co-sponsored this proposed legislation as well.

LD25 incumbents Bucco and Dunn also voted against the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act, S49, which codified the constitutional right to an abortion or related reproductive healthcare in New Jersey. Bucco voted against A3974 as well, the bill to prohibit women who travel to New Jersey for abortion care from being extradited to other states where abortion is illegal for prosecution and possible imprisonment. For more on this including links to legislation, visit clarkeforsenate.com/choice.

“Bucco’s extreme positions are a threat to women’s rights, safety and wellness,” said Clarke. “In light of what has happened to women in Texas, Florida, and other states where reproductive freedoms have been or are being rescinded, we can’t allow legislators in New Jersey who take similarly-horrifying positions on women’s rights to threaten our personal control over basic and important freedoms like governance over our own bodies, nor hard-fought rights generations of women before us have secured.”

“As a physician, I spend my time with patients discussing their conditions and explaining treatment options, and then letting them choose which course of action we will follow. I may not always agree with their choices, but my job as a physician is not to interfere or strip them of their autonomy,” said Dr. Jonathan Torres, family physician and LD25 State Assembly candidate on the Team LD25 ticket. “I firmly believe that women should be the decision makers for their healthcare, and that physicians, government, and insurance companies should not be able to rob women of their ability to make decisions about their own bodies.”

"In our post Roe v. Wade world, nothing could be more important than restoring women's full reproductive freedom. Attacks on women's reproductive autonomy are legion around the country now and I am proud and honored to be endorsed by #VoteProChoice to join this critical fight," said Diane Salvatore, former editor-in-chief of Prevention and Consumer Reports, and LD25 State Assembly candidate.

“Senator Bucco has now confirmed that if Republicans gain control of the State Senate, State funding for women’s health care and Planned Parenthood is on the chopping block,” said Governor Murphy in a recent press release. “It’s never been more clear that abortion access is on the ballot. We cannot afford to go backwards, and that’s why Democrats must come out and vote in this election to protect our freedom from extreme Republican attacks.”

As of legislative redistricting, the new LD25 includes Boonton Township, Butler, Dover, Harding, Jefferson Township, Kinnelon, Madison, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township, Mine Hill, Morristown, Morris Township, Mount Arlington, Randolph, Rockaway Borough, Rockaway Township, Victory Gardens, West Milford and Wharton. Make a plan to vote at teamld25.com/vote.