September 16, 2009
Jeff Brand - 201-400-4668

Trenton, NJ – The Planned Parenthood Action Committee of New Jersey, the state political and advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of New Jersey, today announced its endorsement of Governor Jon Corzine and Senator Loretta Weinberg.
 
"The Planned Parenthood Action Committee of New Jersey is proud to endorse Governor Corzine and Senator Weinberg in this election," said Action Committee board president Jeff Brand.  "Both are passionate advocates for women's rights and each have a long and consistent record of standing up for women's health care.  We need a Governor willing to work to improve access to quality health care for women, support and protect a woman's right to choose, support comprehensive sex education to keep our young people healthy and safe, and invest in prevention programs, including family planning services and breast cancer screenings." 

• Governor Corzine and Senator Weinberg have both received a 100% rating from the Planned Parenthood Action Committee of New Jersey. 
• Governor Corzine has advocated for common-sense prevention measures to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. 
• Governor Corzine and Senator Weinberg support affordable quality health care, including family planning services, breast cancer screenings, and other preventive health care that Planned Parenthood provides.
• Governor Corzine and Senator Weinberg support a woman's right to choose.
• Senator Weinberg wrote New Jersey’s law that requires insurance companies to cover prescription birth control as they do any other prescription drugs. 
• Senator Weinberg provided strong leadership in passing a law requiring emergency rooms provide information and access to emergency contraception for survivors of sexual assault. • Governor Corzine signed a law ensuring that women can get prescriptions filled for basic birth control. 
• Governor Corzine and Senator Weinberg support age appropriate, medically accurate, comprehensive sexuality education to keep our young people healthy and safe, and Governor Corzine was one of the first of many Governors to reject the dangerous Bush Administration’s abstinence only policies.
 
“Gov. Corzine is a strong and passionate advocate for women’s health and women’s rights. As Governor he has worked to improve access to quality health care for women, support and protect a woman’s right to choose, and stood up for women and families across New Jersey,” said Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.
 
In contrast, Chris Christie unequivocally opposes a woman’s right to choose and supports dangerous policies that threaten women’s health care.  Christie’s plans to offer ‘mandate free’ and out of state health insurance policies would allow insurers to refuse to cover prescription contraceptives and refuse to cover certain breast cancer screenings. Earlier this year, Christie touted his allegiances to anti-choice extremists including Congressman Chris Smith who has sponsored 22 different bills that would make basic birth control illegal. 
 
"This election has consequences and women’s health in New Jersey is at stake," said Brand. "We will do all that we can to support the Corzine/Weinberg ticket and ensure that all women have access to quality, affordable health care."
 
The Planned Parenthood Action Committee of New Jersey only endorses candidates with strong pro-choice and pro-family planning positions.  The Action Committee engages in statewide educational and electoral activity that includes educating voters on reproductive health issues, encouraging the election of pro-choice candidates and mobilizing pro-choice voters.
 
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The Planned Parenthood Action Committee of New Jersey is an independent non-partisan organization formed as the statewide political arm of the Planned Parenthood Affiliates of New Jersey.

Paid for by Planned Parenthood Action Committee of New Jersey, PO Box 512, Trenton, NJ 08608 and Planned Parenthood Action Fund, 434 West 33 Street, New York, New York 10001. This expenditure was not made with the cooperation or prior consent of, or in consultation with, or at the request or suggestion of, any candidate, or person or committee acting on behalf of the candidate.

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