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For more information, contact:
Rob Duffey at 646.463.3267 or rduffey@workingfamilies.org

Philadelphia, Pa. (Oct. 12) — City Councilmember Kendra Brooks and council candidate Nicolas O’Rourke were endorsed by Planned Parenthood PA PAC and PhillyNOW in a press conference surrounded by abortion rights activists, health care providers, and everyday Philadelphians. 

Brooks and O’Rourke are running as Working Families Party candidates to take two at-large council seats reserved for minority parties. Until Brooks’ breakthrough win in 2019, those seats were historically held by Republicans. 

“Abortion is always on the ballot - whether we’re voting on a constitutional amendment that would outlaw it, for state legislators who regulate it, judges who rule on it, or our municipal leaders who determine whether we can access it,” said Signe Espinoza, Executive Director Planned Parenthood PA PAC. “That’s why Planned Parenthood PA PAC is endorsing candidates up and down the ballot this year who have pledged to fight for continued access to the full spectrum of sexual and reproductive health care, and yes - that means abortion. Kendra Brooks and Nicolas O’Rourke are committed to protecting your rights and freedoms, and PP PAC is committed to supporting them.”

“Kendra Brooks has put in the work for abortion rights, from protecting patient confidentiality to fighting to make sure that poverty does not strip people of their bodily autonomy,” said reproductive justice organizational leader Beulah Osueke. “Nicolas O’Rourke would join her as a fierce advocate for reproductive freedom. At a time when the Republican Party has attacked the basic rights and freedoms of people across the country, we need champions at every level of government.”

“This is about electing two champions for abortion rights to city government in 2023, who will be strong advocates for women and the NOW agenda,” said Vanessa L. Fields, President of PhillyNOW. “Re-electing Kendra Brooks and electing Nicolas O’Rourke means denying the Republican Party a foothold in our city, and energizing voters who care about abortion rights in a crucial election year. We’re all in for Nicolas and Kendra. It’s Republicans out and Working Families in.” 

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