NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin Candidates Win in Primaries
Pro-Choice Group Activates Voters Statewide to Support Endorsed Candidates
Madison, WI – NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin, the state’s only organization dedicated exclusively to political advocacy for reproductive rights, had phenomenal success in yesterday’s partisan primary elections.
Every candidate endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin PAC that faced a primary opponent won his or her primary.
“NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin was instrumental in the victory of pro-choice candidates,” said Kelda Helen Roys, Executive Director. “Our statewide network of activists and grassroots volunteers energized voters in key areas, through phone calls, canvassing, lit drops, and events. We are gaining momentum and are confident that we’ll have even more success in November.”
The achievements of yesterday are particularly visible in several key races, where a pro-choice candidate beat opponents who were not fully pro-choice. Many of these candidates live in “safe” districts, meaning their ascension to the legislature is almost assured.
State Representative Lena Taylor (D) beat State Rep. Johnnie Morris-Tatum and County Supervisor James White for the nomination to the 4th Senate District, even though both of her opponents had long-represented parts of the district. Rep. Taylor is widely considered a rising star in state politics, and her strong leadership on issues important to women and families makes her stand out. Taylor’s race was considered crucial for choice and too-close-to-call by many experts, yet she ended up winning easily and decisively.
Brad Pfaff (D) won the Senate primary in the 32nd district, and has been a consistent leader on women’s health and privacy. His campaign has been warmly received by voters in LaCrosse and throughout the district, who want to ensure that they continue to be represented by a thoughtful, responsive leader.
State Representative Frank Boyle (D) triumphed over primary opponent Dick Pukema. Constituents came out to support him because he has been such a strong voice for women’s rights and equality for almost two decades.
Mike Sheridan (D) won the Democratic nomination in Janesville’s 44th Assembly District, over Kevin Murray and Thomas Brien. His victory turns an anti-choice seat into a pro-choice seat, and will help ensure that common-sense health care and education policies triumph over extremist interests.
NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin’s complete list of endorsed candidates is below.
Assembly candidates with primary opponents
Tamara D. Grigsby, in the 18th
Meagan Yost, in the 47th
Todd Miller, in the 51st
LuAnn Bird, in the 53rd
Frank Boyle, in the 73rd
Sondy Pope-Roberts, in the 79th
Unopposed Assembly candidates
Jon Richards, in the 19th
Christine Sinicki, in the 20th
Sheldon Wasserman, in the 22nd
Cornelius D. Van Handel, in the 40th
Matt McIntyre, in the 43rd
Eric Schultz, in the 52nd
Gary Sherman, in the 74th
Terese Berceau, in the 76th
Spencer Black, in the 77th
Mark Pocan, in the 78th
Donna Seidel, in the 85th
Dan Aude, in the 88th
State Senate candidates with primary opponents
Lena Taylor, in the 4th
Brad Pfaff, in the 32nd
Unopposed State Senate candidates
Jennifer Morales, in the 8th
Robert Wirch, in the 22nd
Fred Risser, in the 26th
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