Reproductive Freedom a Major Winner in Western MA Elections
BOSTON–NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts, the Commonwealth’s leading reproductive freedom advocacy organization, is proud to share that 11 of its NARAL MA City Champions from western Massachusetts won their races for mayoral and city council seats this evening.
The NARAL MA City Champion Pledge was introduced in August 2021, and since then, more than 120 candidates have signed on. Those who take the pledge commit to fighting for reproductive freedom at the local level by supporting key NARAL MA policies.
“The success of our City Champions in western Massachusetts is further proof that supporting reproductive freedom is a winning position. No matter where you go, Bay State voters want leaders who will protect their reproductive freedom,” said Rebecca Hart Holder, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts. “Western Massachusetts faces unique challenges in improving access to reproductive health care, and I look forward to working with these newly elected officials to address these issues head on.”
Led by Mayor-elect Gina-Louise Sciarra, Northampton voters also elected Marissa Elkins, Jamila Gore, Karen Foster, and Rachel Maoire to their City Council. City Champions also had performed well in Holyoke, as Jose Luis Maldonado Velez and Kocayne Givner won seats on the City Council.
In Easthampton, incumbent Mayor Nicole LaChapelle cruised to an easy victory to win a third-term. Mayor LaChapelle was the only mayoral candidate in Easthampton to sign the NARAL MA City Pledge. A longtime advocate for reproductive freedom, she joined a group of mayors from across the Commonwealth in 2019 to voice support for the ROE Act, which later became law in 2020. Clearly, the Mayor’s vocal support of reproductive rights and gender equity resonated with Easthampton voters. City Champions Brad Riley and Owen Zaret also won seats on the City Council.
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Contact:
Jon Latino
978-870-9388