I’ll never stop fighting for women and girls

By ERIN MARSHALL

Well, folks, this isn’t easy to write, but it’s important: We lost this race, and it hurts. 

My extreme anti-abortion opponent was re-elected to represent the people of Kentucky’s 1st District, and I respect the outcome of this election as determined by the will of the voters. 

Look, I knew my campaign was a long shot and that I was the underdog in this race – James Comer had the backing of the national Republican Party, the benefit of incumbency, and millions of dollars at his disposal. 

But for me, this race was about so much more than defeating an out-of-touch, anti-woman political performer like Comer. It was about choices – Comer’s, mine, and yours – and so I knew in my bones that this was a worthwhile fight, no matter how difficult and no matter the result.

I’ll never forget my rage and fear when Roe v. Wade was overturned and Kentucky’s extreme abortion ban went into effect. We were moving backward, and women in red states were losing fundamental rights. I couldn’t fathom that girls and women in Kentucky would no longer have the choice that I had when I was unexpectedly pregnant at age 24. That experience is hard and scary enough without politicians inserting themselves into your future, your health, and your fertility. 

That feeling stuck with me (and maybe with you, too) over these last few years, until one day it hit me that WE have the power to change this – and that’s when I knew I had to get involved.

I was proud to jump into this race and to fight for a better future for my son, for that 24-year-old me, for every woman and girl who’s been pregnant and scared, and for everyone who has been impacted by Trump and Republicans’ relentless attacks on our fundamental right to choose.

And even though we lost this one, every moment of hustle and hard work was worth it. The conversations with voters all over the state about everything from protecting reproductive freedom to imagining what a pro-family economy could look like will stay with me. And the profound hope that I felt and continue to feel in the power of organizing made this fight worth it. 

I ran for Congress to give voters in my hometown a choice in this election, and I’m proud to have done just that. 

And while we didn’t win, the fact is that reproductive rights ARE a winning message – and fighting for women and girls to have true freedom will ALWAYS be a worthwhile endeavor. 

So, thank you. Truly, from the bottom of my heart – thank you for everything you’ve done to support this campaign. 

Because of you, we put up one hell of a fight for our rights, and I, for one, do not plan to back down from this work anytime soon.