From the Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA07) reelection campaign:
NEW TV AD: “The Thought of Yesli Vega in Congress is Terrifying”
In “Seventeen,” Prince William County Resident Shares Her Personal Sexual Assault Story and Why Yesli Vega is Too Dangerous for Congress
FREDERICKSBURG, VA – The campaign of Rep. Abigail Spanberger — a former federal law enforcement officer and CIA case officer — released its latest ad, “Seventeen.”
The ad features Prince William County resident Adelle, who shares her story of being sexually assaulted when she was seventeen years old. In the ad, she explains how disturbed she is by Yesli Vega’s comments casting doubt on the likelihood of rape-related pregnancies, as well as Vega’s support for a nationwide abortion ban – with no exceptions for rape or incest.
Adelle:
At the age of 17, I was raped. It was devastating.
Yesli Vega said women can’t get pregnant from rape
because it is not happening organically
That made me sick.
Its irresponsible coming from a police officer
who should have known better.
Yesli Vega would even vote to ban abortion
with no exceptions.
Even for victims of rape.
The thought of Yesli Vega in Congress is terrifying.
“My opponent has doubted whether women can get pregnant from rape, a notion that denies both science and the experience of far too many survivors of sexual violence. In recounting her own experience, Adelle provides a clear-eyed assessment of what’s at stake in this election — and I thank her for being a voice for so many survivors,” said Spanberger. “As a Member of Congress, I will continue to support the freedom of all women to make their own choices, especially those made at the hardest times in one’s life. In contrast to my opponent, who supports a national ban on abortion, I do not believe the government has any authority to mandate a pregnancy ever, and especially not in the cases of rape.”
Click here to watch the full ad.
BACKGROUND
Vega applauded the Supreme Court’s draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade as an “amazing victory,” doubted the likelihood that women who are raped can become pregnant, and made clear in endorsement questionnaires that she supports a nationwide ban on abortion – even in cases where the life of the mother is at risk.
Most recently, it was reported that Vega would vote for a constitutional amendment to outlaw abortion nationally and cosponsor the Life at Conception Act – a bill that would ban abortion with no exceptions.
Spanberger is the only pro-choice, pro-marriage equality, and pro-privacy candidate in the race for Virginia’s Seventh Congressional District.
Spanberger has been a vocal advocate for safeguarding the rights of all Virginians. Spanberger has voted with a majority in the U.S. House to protect the rights to contraception, same-sex marriage, interstate travel for reproductive care, and twice to codify Roe v. Wade.
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