NASHVILLE, Tennessee – Governor Gavin Newsom’s super PAC has launched a new television advertisement in Tennessee this week, targeting “Trump Republicans” on the issue of abortion.
The ad, created by Campaign for Democracy, depicts a young woman handcuffed to a hospital bed, desperately pleading for help. A narrator in the ad warns viewers about the intentions of “Trump Republicans” to criminalize young women seeking reproductive healthcare. Governor Newsom, speaking on “Meet the Press,” criticized the GOP for restricting the rights of young women to make decisions about bearing children and even limiting their ability to travel for necessary care.
Campaign for Democracy chose Tennessee as the target for the ad due to pending legislation in both the state House and Senate. These bills aim to criminalize activities related to “abortion trafficking” and assisting minors in obtaining abortions without parental consent, proposing severe penalties for violators.
Governor Newsom raised concerns about similar legislation in Idaho and its potential impact on states like Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Mississippi. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, calling for increased efforts to protect women’s reproductive rights.
The timing of the ad aligns with a recent ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court, which deemed embryos as individuals, posing threats to in vitro fertilization and fertility treatments in the state. Governor Newsom framed these developments as part of a broader attack on women’s rights, beyond just reproductive healthcare and travel restrictions.
Campaign for Democracy plans to launch similar ads in states considering abortion travel bans, underscoring the organization’s commitment to defending women’s rights nationwide. With the political landscape shifting on reproductive rights, advocates like Governor Newsom are stepping up efforts to protect and expand these crucial freedoms for women across the country.