Project 50's New Virtual Program & State Updates
In case you missed it, we are excited to share the launch of our new monthly virtual program: Second Tuesdays with Project 50.
This monthly 50-minute Zoom will provide updates as the 2024 General Election approaches. The program will highlight opportunities to rebuild political power for reproductive rights at the state level and uplift the leaders doing the work. This program is free and open to all Project 50 supporters.
I invite you to join us for the first monthly program next Tuesday, July 9th at 7:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM CT / 5:30 PM MT / 4:30 PM PT featuring our Arkansas state partner, Progressive Arkansas Women PAC. You can RSVP online HERE or reach out to Marlou Svenson at svensonm@project50.net with any questions.
In addition to the Second Tuesdays Program, we’d also like to provide an update on one of the states in which Project 50 is working – South Carolina.
For some months now, we've been paying attention to the political futures of five female state senators who filibustered a six-week abortion ban in 2023. Of the five, two (Senators Sandy Senn and Katrina Shealy) were aggressively targeted by abortion opponents for defeat in the GOP primary by anti-choice men.
We are deeply saddened that both Senator Senn and Senator Shealy lost their primary races. Senn lost by only 33 votes, and Shealy lost in a runoff last Tuesday after winning the first election but failing to secure over 50% of the vote.
Project 50 has been working with the Women's Rights and Empowerment Network, a South Carolina charity working for gender equity, to establish a separate organization that can legally engage voters to build political power for reproductive rights. Unfortunately, this work is in process and the new organization could not directly impact the June Primary election.
The defeat of these two courageous Senators is a painful lesson: there is no time to waste! When elected officials stand up for reproductive rights, there must be local organizations that have their backs.
Project 50 is working to provide organizations with the knowledge and support they need to create, build, and successfully run electoral campaigns – which could make all the difference in close elections. As we just saw in South Carolina, a few dozen votes can decide an election.
We remain committed to building political power for reproductive rights in deeply conservative states, and South Carolina is at the top of the list. The generous donors supporting this work in South Carolina can count on their donations being used as intended: to diminish the grip that the opponents of women's equality, health, and wellbeing have on the politics of the Palmetto State.
We will keep you posted on our progress.
The importance of our work was emphasized by last week’s Iowa State Supreme Court ruling, which allows a six-week abortion ban to take effect in the state. Considering how few people know that they are pregnant at six weeks, this restriction effectively makes Iowa the 17th state with an abortion ban.
This terrible development in the heart of the Midwest is a reminder that abortion opponents were far from finished when they succeeded in overturning Roe v. Wade and its protections.
We know that this is a long-term fight, and it will take time to rebuild power for reproductive rights. However, we must stay committed to this fight and resist complacency in the face of new abortion restrictions. We are grateful for your ongoing partnership in this critical work.
In solidarity,
Bryan Howard
Paid for by Project 50 (project50.net) and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.