Partnership to organize for 2016 election in New Hampshire
SAN FRANCISCO—Today, NextGen Climate, SEIU International and Planned Parenthood Votes announced an electoral partnership in New Hampshire to educate and turnout voters. NextGen Climate President Tom Steyer, SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry, and Planned Parenthood Votes Head Dawn Laguens announced the partnership during a media conference call this afternoon.
“We have a historic opportunity this year to elect progressive leaders to the White House and the Senate. That’s why our partnership with SEIU and Planned Parenthood Votes is so crucial as we work to empower New Hampshire voters to make sure their voices are heard this November,” said Steyer. “Whether it’s on climate change, economic opportunity, or access to reproductive healthcare, a Trump presidency and Senate ally in Kelly Ayotte would be a disaster for working families. Our task is clear: we must stop Dangerous Donald and take back the Senate—and there’s only one way to do it: vote.”
“This is one of the most important elections of our lifetime for working people, who are working harder and longer just to make ends meet and build a better future for their families. This partnership will amplify the power of SEIU’s thousands of members in New Hampshire and drive working women and men to the polls this November,” said SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry.
“This partnership was a no-brainer,” said Dawn Laguens, head of Planned Parenthood Votes. “When you look at the patients who come into Planned Parenthood health centers, these are the issues that affect their lives: they need access to health care. They want to be paid a fair and equal wage. Their communities too often face the worst impacts of anti-environmental policies. In this election, we’ve seen Donald Trump use a sexist, racist, anti-worker and anti-environment message to try and reach voters. That’s why we’ve built this coalition, and are working together at an unprecedented, election-changing scale.”
NextGen Climate, SEIU, and Planned Parenthood Votes have committed $2 million in total to this partnership. The program will focus on persuading New Hampshire voters and turning them out on election day with on the ground organizing, direct voter contact and issue based advocacy through digital products and mail. The program will focus on key issues: $15 an hour minimum wage and union rights, protecting our climate, affordable child care for all Americans, quality long-term care for seniors and people with disabilities, ensuring access to reproductive healthcare, and equal pay for equal work.