National reproductive rights advocacy organization endorses Lansing Democrats

The leader of Reproductive Freedom for All called Tom Barrett (R-MI) a “nightmare … for Michigan” during a canvassing event on Tuesday as part of the group’s “My Body, My Ballot” campaign.

The organization, formerly the National Association for Repeal of Abortion Laws, is backing both William Lawrence, who is the Democratic candidate running against Barrett for Michigan’s 7th Congressional seat, and Rashida Harrison, who is aiming to be Michigan’s next 28th District state senator.

Mini Timmaraju, president and CEO of the group, said Barrett was “hiding his record” by removing a portion of his website detailing his anti-abortion stance. “We know that when abortion is on the ballot, abortion wins every single time,” she said, “and Tom Barrett knows it too.”

Lawrence called Barrett “an extremist” on abortion. Barrett voted for a bill that resulted in federal funding cuts to healthcare providers that also offer abortion care. Those provisions primarily affected Planned Parenthood.

In July, three Planned Parenthood locations in Michigan, including the one in Lansing, closed as a result of the funding cuts. Two...