While we tend to focus most on presidential election years, results from the 2023 “off-year” elections earlier this week proved illuminating, thanks to a huge victory for reproductive rights in the swing state of Ohio. If you're not caught up, a recap:
- Voters approved a constitutional amendment that codifies the legal status of abortion in Ohio’s state constitution.
- Virginia voters chose to elect officials who advocated for access to abortion. Democrats gained control of the state legislature, a loss for Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin, who had advocated for a 15-week abortion ban if the GOP won.
- Kentucky reelected Andy Besheaer as governor, who ran a campaign focused on opposing the state’s near-total ban on abortion.
- Pennsylvania Democrat Dan McCaffery won an open seat on a court that will likely make crucial decisions on abortion access by 2025.
- Organizers maintained support for a gun-sense majority in states including Virginia, and more women were elected to office, namely Cherelle Parker, the 100th mayor of Philadelphia and the very first woman to win the post.
