Arizona recently became the latest state to ban abortion, even in the case of rape and incest. Although that law is being challenged in court, I am scared and angry that this will be the reality in Pennsylvania next year. If Republicans maintain control of the state House and Senate, they could pass Senate Bill 106, which will open the door to extreme restrictions in the commonwealth.
Because of the particular system Pennsylvania uses to establish new constitutional amendments, just electing a pro-choice governor won’t be enough to protect abortion access. This is only one reason why our state-level elections are so critical this year.
There is an open seat in the 33rd District, where Mandy Steele is the pro-choice candidate. Her opponent, Ted Tomson, wants to ban abortion, even in cases of rape and incest, according to LifePAC Southwestern Pennsylvania’s pro-life voter’s guide. On Nov. 8, I will cast my vote for Mandy Steele, because she will protect a woman’s right to bodily autonomy and access to reproductive health care.
Jessica Haselkorn
Fox Chapel