Governor Locke will be Missed
Today’s announcement of Governor Locke’s decision to not run for a third term was bittersweet for Washington NARAL and the state’s pro-choice community. Locke’s consistent support of women’s rights and reproductive freedom will be missed.
“Governor Locke has been an enormous asset to the pro-choice community in Washington,” said Karen Cooper, Executive Director of Washington NARAL. “We’re exceptionally thankful to have had him.”
In addition to backing responsible reproductive and pro-choice legislation, Governor Locke was a supporter of medically accurate, comprehensive sex education in our schools and helped women obtain contraceptive coverage in state health insurance. During his last term, Governor Locke signed a law that requires hospitals to provide rape victims with emergency contraception, a huge step forward in reproductive rights for women in Washington State.
“I am proud that our state has led the way in reproductive rights for women. And proud that we’ve led the way in the broader struggle for equal rights for women,” stated Governor Locke in his 30th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade speech.
Washington NARAL, as the voice of the pro-choice majority in Washington State, thanks Governor Locke for his time well spent in office. We are confident that Washington’s next governor will be as successful as Governor Locke in supporting and expanding reproductive freedom.
| 
