Statement by National NOW President Christian F. Nunes
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The midterm election results showed just how divided our political landscape remains. While progressive candidates won important U.S. Senate races, massive spending by extremist groups that used fearmongering, racist tropes, and attacks on gender differences has left control of the House still undecided. But one thing is clear— reproductive rights were protected this election.
Exit polls showed that abortion was one of the top issues for voters. Republicans tried to scare voters about their personal safety, but instead, voters stood up for their bodily autonomy and most basic rights.
NOW’s commitment to the intersectional feminist agenda remains strong—and it has never been needed more. As this election reminds us, this is a 50-state fight and NOW is perfectly placed to wage it. Our vast network of grassroots activists across the country made a critical difference in the wins we achieved—and helped energize a new generation of feminist voters.
The next two years will be crucial to the equal rights agenda that NOW shares with millions of people across the country. We will continue to fight for abortion rights, pay equity, access to health care, marriage equality, and ending violence against women. Our members are ready to take up the challenge of a divided government because there’s too much at stake.
This election underscored what’s on the line for pregnant persons, which was virtually everything. We take pride in the victories we won in this election, and are undeterred by setbacks that only make our resolve stronger.
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The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the nation’s leading membership-based advocacy group dedicated to defending women’s rights, advancing equality and combating injustice in all aspects of social, political and economic life. Through educating, mobilizing, and convening a vast network of grassroots activists across the country, NOW advocates for national, state and local policies that promote an anti-racist and intersectional feminist agenda. Since its founding in 1966, NOW has been on the frontlines of nearly every major advancement for women’s rights and continues to champion progressive values today. More about NOW’s efforts and resources is available at NOW.org.