Delegate Kannan Srinivasan And Abortion Rights Advocates Host Press Conference to Kick Off Early Voting

Ashburn, VA – Today, Delegate Kannan Srinivasan, candidate for Senate District 32, JJ Singh, candidate for House District 26, and abortion rights groups and advocates held a press conference discussing what’s at stake for reproductive rights this January.

Delegate Kannan Srinivasan, candidate for Senate District 32, made the case for his candidacy: 

“My point is rooted in ensuring that all Virginians have the autonomy to make personal healthcare decisions without political interference. As voters start heading to the polls today to make their voices heard, I want each of them to know that I hear them, I stand by them and their right to make their own personal healthcare decisions, and I will always fight for them. The future of reproductive freedom in Virginia rests on these elections.” 

Jamie Lockhart, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia said: 

“With an almost evenly divided State Senate and House of Delegates, and Governor Youngkin’s desire to ban abortion, Virginians need their elected officials to fight to protect reproductive rights. They don’t need the legislature to flip and allow Governor Youngkin to enact his dangerous anti-abortion agenda. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia know that Virginians are motivated to protect abortion rights and we will make sure SD-32 voters know that Kannan Srinivasan is their trusted champion to do so.”

Tarina Keene, executive director of ReproRising said: 

“In partnership with the current Reproductive Freedom Majorities in the General Assembly, we are working to pass a Constitutional Amendment for Reproductive Freedom right here in Virginia. This effort is well underway and our goal is to pass an amendment that protects our rights and access to the full range of reproductive healthcare including but not limited to birth control, childbirth, miscarriage care, fertility treatment, and abortion. But first we must win both races in SD 32 and HD 26 on January 7th to maintain our reproductive freedom majorities in order for us to embark on this two-year constitutional amendment process. Voters who support reproductive rights, you cannot sit this election out!” 

Sara Tabatabaie, executive director of Vote Pro-Choice said: 

“This past year, the Vote Pro-Choice Team researched nearly thirty five hundred candidates across 46 states to ultimately endorse 317 pro-choice champions running for office on November fifth. And despite running in some of the toughest races on the ballot, our candidates had a 53% win rate. Because this country is a pro-choice country. Just three days after the 2024 general election, we publicly announced our endorsement for Kannan Srinivasan for Virginia State Senate. That’s how important this election is. And that’s how much we trust Kannan on this issue.” 

Sonia Ballinger, reproductive freedom advocate said: 

“When I was 18 I became pregnant unexpectedly. I was afraid of what my Latino family would think of me and what would happen to me if I told them. I was what people today would call “ghosted” by my child’s father. I remember the fear I went through when I was a kid – because even though I was 18, legally an adult, I was still just a kid. I hid my pregnancy for 8 months because I was ashamed and embarrassed. No one should ever have to feel ashamed and embarrassed to access the reproductive care they need… I’m glad to be here today to support Kannan Srinivasan because Virginians want to see their rights protected, not diminished further due to political attacks.”