Deidre DeJear Gets National Pro-Choice Group Endorsement

NARAL Pro-Choice America endorsed Deidre DeJear for Iowa governor on Thursday.

“Iowa needs Deidre DeJear, a leader who will boldly fight for reproductive freedom,” said NARAL President Mini Timmaraju in a statement. “Gov. Reynolds has made no secret of her plans to continue dismantling abortion rights and access, putting the health and well-being of Iowans on the line.”

DeJear is the Democratic candidate challenging Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds in Iowa’s gubernatorial race in November. NARAL is a national organization that opposes restrictions to abortion rights.

DeJear has been a proponent of abortion rights. On her website, her policies for protecting abortion rights include codifying abortion in Iowa, increasing access to contraceptives, including Plan B and other emergency contraceptives, and expanding the number of sexual and reproductive health clinics in the state, among others.

“Reproductive health care is vital to the health and success of Iowans and we’ll be fighting every step of the way to deliver for the people,” DeJear said in the statement announcing the endorsement.

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During her governorship, Reynolds has pushed for extreme bans on abortion, including waiting periods and a shorter period of time when women and others can access the procedure. Because of Roe v Wade and a 2018 decision from the Iowa Supreme Court finding the right to abortion in Iowa’s Constitution, those restrictions were blocked.

When both rulings were overturned in June this year, Reynolds quickly filed for courts to review both her 24-hour waiting period and her ban on abortion at six weeks.

The waiting period is currently in effect while it works its way back through the court system. The case was sent back to a Johnson County District Court in July.

Abortion is still legal in Iowa until the 20th week of pregnancy.

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An amendment to the Iowa Constitution is also working its way through the Iowa Legislature. It would explicitly state the constitution does not include a right to abortion. If it passes the legislature again, it will be on the ballot for voters in 2023 or 2024.

Generally, polls show a majority of Iowans support abortion rights or only a few restrictions.

A Des Moines Register poll conducted in July found that 54% of Iowans oppose reinstating the six-week ban, while 38% support it. Overall, 60% of Iowans said abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

DeJear has also been endorsed by Emily’s List, Iowa Asian and Latino Coalition PAC, and multiple labor unions.

Nikoel Hytrek
09/08/22

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