Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan Celebrates Jocelyn Benson’s Victory in Race for Michigan Governor

LANSING, MI — Michigan voters elected Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson as their next governor. Benson has committed to protecting reproductive rights and expanding access to reproductive health care across Michigan. This victory comes as the Trump administration and its allies continue working to block access to abortion and funding for reproductive health care at the national level. As federal attacks continue, having leaders who will defend our fundamental freedoms and expand access to care at the state level, where decisions about state policy and budgets are determined, is the best line of defense.

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan President and CEO Paula Thornton Greear released the following statement in response:

“Michigan voters enshrined reproductive freedom in our constitution four years ago, and tonight they chose a governor who has pledged to fight to make it as accessible in every part of Michigan as it is on paper. With the Trump administration attacking reproductive health care at every turn, those protections must be matched by access to care. We are thrilled to congratulate Governor-elect Benson and proud to have a partner in the Governor’s office who made health care the defining issue of her campaign. From her first day in office, we are ready to work with her administration and the Legislature to realize a future where care is within reach for all Michiganders.” 

Benson’s win is a firm rejection of the anti-abortion rhetoric pushed by Republican candidate John James. On the campaign trail, James suggested that he did not believe that the state constitutional amendment protecting reproductive freedom is settled law and vowed to “do everything” in his power to pass the most anti-abortion bill he could if elected. 

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Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan (PPAM) is the advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood in Michigan. PPAM works in conjunction with Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund at the national level, as well as Planned Parenthood of Michigan, supporters, and patients at the state level to ensure access to reproductive health for all Michiganders.