Barrett Favored by Advocates for Women

Democratic State Senate nominee Mike Barrett has won endorsements from two respected advocates of women’s health and women’s rights: the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts (PPLM) and the Mass. chapter of the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL).

PPLM promotes women’s health education, provides access to birth control devices, and operates licensed medical clinics providing women’s health services. NARAL mobilizes voters on behalf of pro-choice policies and works to narrow health service disparities that hurt poor women.

Barrett is pro-choice and has been involved in women’s issues for two decades.  In an earlier stint as Massachusetts State Senator, he drafted language creating a first-in-the-nation computerized registry of domestic abusers, one that judges are required to check when ruling on requests for restraining orders. Barrett shepherded the idea through the Legislature and into law. The Mass. Family Planning Association honored his accomplishments with an award for “long and outstanding work in support of comprehensive family planning services.”

Barrett’s pro-choice position differs from that of his Republican opponent, Sandi Martinez. She highlights her endorsement by Mass. Citizens for Life, whose legislative mission is to promote “laws that discourage, restrict and eventually criminalize abortion.”