MORRIS COUNTY — 25th Legislative District Democrats Christine Clarke, Dr. Jonathan Torres, and Diane Salvatore have received the endorsement of #VoteProChoice, a project of Democrats.com LLC.
#VoteProChoice is proud to endorse Dr. Jonathan Torres, Christine Clarke, and Diane Salvatore in the New Jersey legislature’s 25th District. As we approach nearly a year without the federal protections of Roe, it’s more vital than ever that we elect pro-choice champions at the state and local levels. States like New Jersey, where abortion has remained legal, have become critical access points for people forced to travel for care. In the wake of the Dobbs decision, we’ve seen state legislators nationwide step up to defend abortion access: codifying reproductive rights into law, approving budget allocations to expand abortion access, and more. New Jersey has been a leader in this space, and we know that Christine, Jonathan, and Diane are committed to using the powers of the state legislature to expand reproductive freedom and ensure that everyone in New Jersey can decide if, when, and how to raise a safe and thriving family. We’re proud to stand behind them!” said Carly LeQuire, Director of Research and Voter Products.
Clarke’s opponent, incumbent LD25 State Senator Tony Bucco Jr., has sponsored bills to restrict women’s access to reproductive healthcare funding and services, including abortion. His “Born Alive Abortion Survivors Act,” S673, could prohibit abortion before some women know they are pregnant. The bill would also give the embryo or fetus legal personhood as if a fully developed, born child and impose a sentence upon the abortion provider for attempting an abortion of up to 30 years in prison. Fines and penalties would be imposed on the doctor’s staff if they don’t turn the doctor in under the mandatory reporting requirements included in the bill. In the prior legislative session, Asw. Aura Dunn co-sponsored this proposed legislation as well.
LD25 incumbents Bucco and Dunn also voted against the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act, S49, which codified the constitutional right to an abortion or related reproductive healthcare in New Jersey. Bucco and Barranco voted against A3974 as well, the bill to prohibit women who travel to New Jersey for abortion care from being extradited to other states where abortion is illegal for prosecution. Dunn abstained.
“Bucco’s extreme positions threaten women’s rights, safety, and wellness,” said Clarke. “In light of what has happened to women in Texas, Florida, and other states where reproductive freedoms have been or are being rescinded, we can’t allow legislators in New Jersey who take similarly-horrifying positions on women’s rights to threaten our control over basic and important freedoms like governance over our bodies, nor hard-fought rights generations of women before us have secured.”
“As a physician, I spend my time with patients discussing their conditions, explaining treatment options, and then letting them choose which course of action we will follow. I may not always agree with their choices. Still, my job as a physician is not to interfere or strip them of their autonomy,” said Dr. Jonathan Torres, family physician and LD25 State Assembly candidate on the Team LD25 ticket. “I firmly believe that women should be the decision makers for their healthcare and that physicians, government, and insurance companies should not be able to rob women of their ability to make decisions about their bodies.”
“In our post-Roe v. Wade world, nothing could be more important than restoring women’s full reproductive freedom. Attacks on women’s reproductive autonomy are legion around the country now, and I am proud and honored to be endorsed by #VoteProChoice to join this critical pro-choice fight,” said Diane Salvatore, former editor-in-chief of Prevention and Consumer Reports and LD25 State Assembly candidate.
As of legislative redistricting, the new LD25 includes Boonton Township, Butler, Dover, Harding, Jefferson Township, Kinnelon, Madison, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township, Mine Hill, Morristown, Morris Township, Mount Arlington, Randolph, Rockaway Borough, Rockaway Township, Victory Gardens, West Milford and Wharton.
Learn more about Clarke, Torres, and Salvatore by clicking here.
