For the first time in 12 years, Democrats hold the majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, but not by much. One recent vacancy places control of the chamber up for grabs.
Democrat Heather Boyd will face off against Republican Katie Ford in a special election on May 16 to represent Pennsylvania’s House District 163 in Delaware County.
“If Republicans win in the 163rd, they will ban abortion in Pennsylvania,” said Rep. Leanne Krueger, chair of the HDCC in a press release. “Delaware County can stop the GOP abortion ban, by stopping Katie Ford.”
The election of Boyd, who has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood, would keep Republicans from placing a referendum question on a future ballot to prohibit reproductive health care by amending the state’s constitution.
Such a referendum would circumvent the veto power of Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro.
“Katie Ford has been running a desperate and shameless campaign, but the voters know the truth about her – she’d be the vote needed to ban all abortions in Pennsylvania,” said Trevor Southerland, Executive Director of the PA House Democratic Campaign Committee.
Democrats have launched a commercial to remind voters exactly what’s on the line should they lose control of the House.
We’re confident that the voters will once again send a strong message that they want abortion to remain legal in Pennsylvania,” Southerland added.
