FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 13, 2020
Planned Parenthood Action Fund Endorses Champion for Reproductive Rights Jesse Mermell
Mermell is a former Planned Parenthood leader who has made protecting and expanding reproductive rights a central part of her campaign
BROOKLINE – Planned Parenthood Action Fund today endorsed Jesse Mermell for Congress in the Fourth Congressional District, solidifying Mermell’s position as the best candidate in the crowded field to champion reproductive rights in Congress. A former Planned Parenthood leader whose first campaign policy proposal was about reproductive rights, Mermell previously earned the endorsement of NARAL Pro-Choice America.
“Planned Parenthood Action Fund is standing with Jesse Mermell for Congress because she has stood for our values throughout her entire career,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, President of Planned Parenthood Action Fund. “From fighting for contraceptive coverage in the Affordable Care Act when she worked at Planned Parenthood, to testifying in support of the ACCESS Bill and ROE Act in Massachusetts, to running a congressional campaign that puts reproductive justice front and center, Jesse Mermell is the proven progressive leader the Fourth District needs.”
“I first walked into a Planned Parenthood clinic as a college student from out of state who needed reliable, affordable health care,” said Mermell. “Ten years later, I was working at Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts and fighting to ensure contraceptive coverage was included in the Affordable Care Act. Now my commitment to protecting access to comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion care, is driving my Congressional campaign at a time when our rights are under attack like never before. I am honored to stand shoulder to shoulder with Planned Parenthood Action Fund to take on Donald Trump and his radical, anti-abortion cronies and champion reproductive freedom for all.”
Planned Parenthood Action Fund is a nonprofit, non-partisan group backed by more than seven million activists, donors, and other supporters working to advance access to sexual health care and defend reproductive rights. PPAF has also endorsed Massachusetts Representatives Ayanna Pressley, Lori Trahan, Katherine Clark, Jim McGovern, and Seth Moulton for the 2020 election cycle.
Planned Parenthood Action Fund’s endorsement comes in the midst of a major surge for Mermell’s campaign as she has picked up major endorsements from Auditor Suzanne Bump, State Representative Denise Garlick, Newton City Councilor Brenda Noel and 17 local leaders just this week.
Mermell has built the strongest grassroots coalition in the crowded nine-person primary, including support from Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, NARAL, the National Women’s Political Caucus, SEIU, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the Massachusetts Nurses Association, IBEW Local 103, United Auto Workers Region 9A, the Coalition for Social Justice and many more. A full list of endorsements can be found here.
Election Day is September 1st but voters can vote-by-mail now or vote early in person beginning on August 22nd.