From Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA02)’s reelection campaign:
Congresswoman Luria Responds to Jen Kiggans Calling Abortion a “Shiny Object” to “Distract” Voters
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – After Jen Kiggans appeared on Richmond Morning News with John Reid this morning and called the right of a woman to choose a “shiny object” that is being used to “distract” voters, Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) released the following statement:
“Abortion is a deeply personal decision for women in Coastal Virginia and throughout the country. A nurse should know that the right to choose is not a ‘shiny object,’ and Jen Kiggans’ dismissive comments this morning are insulting to women everywhere. Jen made clear today that politicians like her should have no place in banning reproductive health care for women, and statements like this are a reminder that Virginians can’t trust her to protect our rights and freedoms. The facts are clear: Jen Kiggans applauded the decision that overturned Roe v. Wade and stripped a generation of women of their rights and she continues to threaten the health and safety of women by allowing politicians to ban abortion in all cases.”
Kiggans applauded the Supreme Court decision that overturned the right to choose for millions of women across the country and has said she is “100%, unapologetically pro-life.” She has claimed that ending access to abortion was her motivation to run for office, and she pledged to prioritize “the right to life.” Kiggans also supports allowing states to ban abortion without exceptions.
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Also, from DPVA:
NEW VIDEO: Kiggans Calls Abortion a “Shiny Object,” Says that Abortion Isn’t An Issue “Voters Really Care About”
Richmond, VA – Today the Democratic Party of Virginia released a new video slamming Jen Kiggans for saying in a radio interview this morning that the issue of abortion is just a “shiny object” and that abortion isn’t an issue “voters really care about.”
In the video, Jen Kiggans says:
“They are trying to make that the issue to deflect, right, from all of the issues that voters really care about
“They’re trying to distract with these shiny objects like the abortion issue…”
Recent polling from Roanoke College shows that abortion is an issue voters care about and that Jen Kiggans’ support for ending Roe v. Wade and allowing states to completely outlaw abortion is out of touch and out of step with Coastal Virginians. The poll found only 11% believed abortion should be totally illegal and that only 35% of Virginians agree with the court’s decision to overturn the 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade decision and 60% disagree.
Kiggans’ long record of anti-abortion extremism is a danger to women across the Commonwealth. She’s voted for a vile anti-abortion amendment aimed to restrict crucial funds for reproductive health care that will disproportionately impact low-income Virginians, promoted false claims about “infanticide,” and consistently voted against legislation to expand access to reproductive health care.
“Coastal Virginians are going to show Jen Kiggans this November that the issue of abortion isn’t just a ‘shiny object’,” said DPVA Spokesperson Gianni Snidle. “Once again Jen Kiggans is showing how out of touch she is with Coastal Virginias. Voters will show Jen that their rights are an issue they care about and reject her extreme agenda of ripping away decades of women’s rights away.”