Press Release: NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio Endorses Nan Whaley for Governor

Columbus — NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio announced its board unanimously voted to endorse of Nan Whaley for governor. This announcement comes the week after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to block a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade that threatens the legal right to an abortion across the country. As with all attacks on abortion access, this ban will disproportionately impact Black women and all women of color, young people, and transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.

NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio Executive Director Kellie Copeland said: “We cannot rely on the U.S. Supreme Court to protect the right to legal abortion, that is crystal clear. The fight to protect access to abortion must be secured at the state and local level. It is imperative that we elect a governor that is passionately and proactively devoted to ensuring that everyone in Ohio who needs an abortion has access, especially those most impacted by abortion restrictions: Black women and other women of color, young people, and transgender and gender non-binary individuals. We need leaders who will stand up every day and ensure Ohioans have access to abortion and other reproductive health care services in their community, without stigma, judgement or delay.

“Nan Whaley has worked with us for years to protect abortion access in Dayton. She is the only candidate in this race, Democrat or Republican, who has always put her values into action and stood up for reproductive freedom. We’re proud to endorse her and will do everything in our power to ensure that she is the next, and first elected, woman to serve as Governor of Ohio.

“Now more than ever, with the future of Roe v. Wade in jeopardy at the Supreme Court, Ohio needs a Governor who will staunchly protect abortion access, especially for people who face greater barriers to access. I’m thrilled to have the endorsement of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio. I’ll never stop fighting and will never waiver on my commitment to protecting abortion access and reproductive freedom,” said Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley.

These endorsements come after the Whaley campaign announced an historic fundraising haul of more than $1.64 million for the first half of 2021, which is the most ever raised by a Democratic challenger for Ohio governor in the first half of an off-year. Her campaign has more than $1.84 million total raised for the gubernatorial race. Nan has been endorsed by more than 130 local elected officials and leaders across the state, the Ohio Democratic Women’s Legislative Caucus, 314 Action Fund, EMILY’s List; as well as CWA District 4, OAPSE/AFSCME Local 4, IUE-CWA, the Ohio State Council of Machinists, and SEIU District 1199.

Issue 1 Passes with an overwhelming majority!

We did it! Abortion and other reproductive care services are now protected in the Ohio Constitution! Support Pro-Choice Ohio’s continued work to ensure safe and equitable abortion care for all Ohioans.