After Planned Parenthood Endorsement of Gov. Murphy, Ciattarelli’s Dismal Record on Women’s Reproductive Rights Has Never Been More Clear

Republican Nominee Supported Christie-era Cuts to Women’s Health Care Funding, Would Veto Reproductive Freedom Act

TRENTON, NJ — In the wake of Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey’s endorsement of Governor Phil Murphy, it has never been more clear how damaging Republican gubernatorial nominee Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli would be for the cause of women’s reproductive freedom. Ciattarelli’s regressive views and harmful policies would instantly take New Jersey back to the Christie era, when painful cuts were made to women’s health care services in the name of extreme conservative politics. This would come at an incredibly precarious time, with the U.S. Supreme Court soon hearing a challenge to the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that could threaten reproductive rights nationwide.

“While Governor Murphy has been an ally and a champion for women’s reproductive rights, Jack Ciattarelli would be a disaster who would immediately drag our state backward into a dark era when women didn’t have safe, affordable access to health care,” said NJDSC Vice Chair Peg Schaffer. “From supporting Chris Christie’s cruel cuts to women’s health care funding to pledging to veto laws that would protect and expand reproductive freedom, Jack Ciattarelli would set women back years — that’s why we will rally behind Governor Murphy and re-elect him this November.”

Some of Assemblyman Ciattatarelli’s attacks on women’s reproductive rights include:

• Boasted about plans to impose Christie-era funding cuts to women’s health care and family planning services [NJ Spotlight, 5/19/17];

• Vowed to sign a 20-week abortion ban [Ciattarelli for Governor – Press Release, 5/18/21];

• Pledged to veto legislation that codifies reproductive freedom as a matter of state law [Ciattarelli for Governor – Press Release, 5/18/21];

• Said Donald Trump’s “greatest legacy was the appointment of all the conservative judges to the federal bench, including the Supreme Court” [Virtual Town Hall, 5/18/21]; and

• Supports parental notification law deemed unconstitutional by the New Jersey Supreme Court [Ciattarelli for Governor – Jack’s Plan: Rights & Freedoms, 5/19/21].