Within days of the general elections, leaders of the initiative San Mateo County ProChoice They asked that the endorsement of San Mateo City Council candidate Rod Linhares be revoked, since he not only does not support reproductive rights, but actively works against them.
In a statement, they noted that the nonprofit organization ProChoice sent a questionnaire to more than 100 candidates running for all levels of elected office in the county; however, Rod Linhares did not return them to clarify his position on reproductive rights or Proposition 1, a ballot measure that would amend the California state constitution to explicitly name the right to abortion.
They added that when questioned directly by three journalists from different outlets, Linhares did not state his position on Proposition 1, but according to the San Mateo Daily Journal, the candidate who is also an employee of the Archdiocese of San Francisco stated that he could not support it.
They mentioned that Linhares has actively raised money for an organization that has donated $50,000 in monetary contributions and staff time to the "No on Prop 1" Campaign.
They added that not only does he not support reproductive rights, but he is actively working against them and therefore "his candidacy must be opposed."
“Senator Josh Becker has rescinded his endorsement of candidate Rod Linhares, demonstrating his clear convictions and his support for California Proposition 1. As an ally in favor of abortion, we ask that you immediately rescind your endorsement that goes against your stated values in both word and action," ProChoice said in a statement.
According to the organization, these upcoming elections, which will take place on November 8, are "absolutely critical" for the future of the city of San Mateo, which is home to a Planned Parenthood clinic, an organization that provides life-saving care sexual and reproductive health nationally and globally.
“Reproductive, LGBTQ+ and disability rights must be protected and represented at all levels of government. Will you be on the right side of history and void your support for City Council anti-abortion candidate Rod Linhares?" the statement concluded.
The ProChoice San Mateo County initiative was formed to provide visibility and education to voters, as they deserve to know their candidates' positions on abortion, so they can make informed decisions about elected leaders.
Decisions made in San Mateo County in the November election directly and immediately impact communities, and local races also shape future state and national representation for generations.
Notably, Proposition 1 calls for amending the California Constitution to expressly include an individual's fundamental right to reproductive freedom, which includes the fundamental right to choose abortion and the fundamental right to choose or refuse contraceptives. This amendment does not restrict or limit existing rights to privacy and equal protection under the State Constitution, without direct fiscal effect, because reproductive rights are already protected under state law.
The measure has been put to a vote after, due to a recent court case, the right to abortion is no longer protected by the US Constitution.
In the past, the US Supreme Court found that the Constitution generally protected the right to abortion. As a result, states had limited ability to impose restrictions on them.
However, in June 2022, the US Supreme Court decided that the Constitution does not protect the right to abortion, so states now have more flexibility to decide whether to allow, limit or prohibit such a medical procedure.
The organizations Peninsula Young Democrats and San Mateo County Latinx Democratic Club joined the statement.
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