Political Notes: LGBTQ candidates capitalize on leaked draft abortion ruling
LGBTQ candidates across the country are capitalizing on the news of a draft ruling that would overturn abortion rights in the U.S., first reported on by Politico May 2.
Most have used it to raise funds for their campaign coffers, while others have used it as a cudgel against their Republican opponents.Deja Alvarez, running to become the first openly transgender Latina member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, quickly fired off an email May 3 to her supporters recommitting to "never stop fighting to protect reproductive healthcare for all bodies" and urging people to donate to her campaign.
Her primary race will be held next Tuesday, May 17."After seeing the leaked Supreme Court opinion, it is clearer than ever that we must elect more women to office.
It is literally our bodies on the line and we can not continue allowing men to control them," wrote Alvarez, who is seeking who to represent the 182nd District in the heart of Philadelphia.Fellow Keystone State candidate Sean Meloy, a gay man running for Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District seat in the Pittsburgh region, also fired off a fundraising pitch based off the leaked ruling with the donations to be split between his campaign and the National Abortion Rights Action League. "We need more pro-choice champions in office, people who are not afraid to talk about what's at stake.
