A Special Message from Project 50’s Executive Director, Bryan Howard
Today marks the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court decision that, for almost 50 years, protected universal reproductive rights across the country. Since its overturn in June 2022 through the Dobbs v Jackson decision, over 19 million Americans in 16 states cannot access abortion healthcare without traveling to another state, sometimes thousands of miles away. Further litigation continues in four more states, so this number is likely to grow.
And yet, we at Project 50 remain hopeful. Small gains have been made, such as in Ohio where a ballot measure to protect abortion access in the state constitution passed resoundingly with a margin of 13% in the November 2023 elections. However, 24 states do not allow ballot measures in their state constitutions. This is where Project 50’s mission to build political power for abortion rights state-by-state is so imperative.
While most national progressive political organizations are prioritizing swing states, Project 50 is working in hostile states that have already banned abortion. In 2024, we are focused on groups in Arkansas, Oklahoma and South Carolina.
In one of these states, South Carolina, five brave state senators - Republicans, Democrat, and Independent - led efforts to stave off a six week abortion ban in April 2023, including a newsworthy, powerful filibuster. They will be high priority targets for anti-choice interest groups to defeat in 2024. Project 50 is collaborating with a local organization, Women’s Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN), leading the fight in South Carolina to protect these five leaders and secure their re-election.
Project 50 invests in and grows state-based organizations to identify, recruit and train pro-choice candidates, help them win elections, and ultimately, hold them accountable on supporting abortion rights legislation. We have our work cut out for us, but with your help, we can - and will - turn the tide on abortion rights in this country.
Yours in solidarity,
Bryan Howard
Paid for by Project 50 (project50.net) and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
