Gavin Newsom, the Democratic Gov. of California, is extending his initiatives to make abortion a key part of his political career in new statewide campaign television advertising.
The incumbent governor is starting his first television ads for the California race, but they aren’t for him; they’re for a measure that will be on the ballot this fall. The advertisement cost $2.5 million. The initial advertisement is part of a larger $5 million television ad campaign and is seen as a contribution in support of the proposal.
Californians will see advertising from Newsom urging them to back Proposition 1, which would include the right to abortion and contraception in the California constitution, for the next two weeks.
Along with an advertisement, Newsom stated on Twitter, “Across the nation, abortion facilities are being closed by extremist GOP legislators. Fundamental liberties are being lost. Females are being attacked. We state, NOT HERE, this November.”
“Voting in favor of the proposition will modify the California Constitution to explicitly recognize current rights to reproductive choices, such as the freedom to decide whether or not to undergo an abortion and use contraceptives,” according to the California Voter Information Guide.
Newsom has always advocated supporting abortion in the state and has even backed creating a safe haven in California for women traveling from other states to obtain abortions.
According to Newsom, “the notion that we are actively codifying statute—that we are going on the offense—is something to celebrate and to emphasize rather than simply dial in and take it for granted.”
“I also think it conveys a message that echoes across our borders, the better we perform on this, the more intensity, the more we turn it up,” Newsom added. “If a sizable majority votes in favor of Proposition 1, it sends a message to the states that did nothing this year, asking, Why didn’t you? So where are you? and to take this opportunity seriously in order to prepare for the upcoming Supreme Court rulings. Let’s shake off any timidity or apathy here and take the world we live in seriously.”
Brian Dahle, a Republican challenging Newsom for governor of the Golden State, has raised more than $2 million for his campaign, as opposed to Newsom’s, which had more than $23 million as of last month.
“Gavin Newsom is seeking the presidency.” At a fundraiser in September, Dahle stated, “He’s out there talking about it. We’re going to move in from the back and win with God’s help because he isn’t focusing on this race.”
