Friend --

Not here. While I am governor, abortion will remain legal and accessible for all people in the state of Washington. As long as I have anything to say about it, we will never waver on the right of every person to access a safe and affordable abortion.

But the draft opinion from the Supreme Court that was made public last night is a painful reminder that our rights remain fragile. Republicans have been working at every level, in every state, to undermine a woman's right to choose -- and Washington state is no exception.

If the Supreme Court goes through with overturning Roe v. Wade, state legislatures and governors are our last, and only, line of defense. Here in Washington, we have been able to ensure access to abortion care because of Democratic leadership and Democratic legislative majorities.

Last night's news proves why we can never take abortion and reproductive health care rights for granted. While Republicans in other states chipped away at abortion access, we passed the Affirm Washington Abortion Access Act to expand access and ban junk lawsuits against people seeking an abortion and their medical providers. We know that Republicans are doing everything they can to erode women's rights, but here in Washington, at every turn, our Democratic elected officials have blocked them.

We should be angry -- as angry as we've ever been. But we shouldn't give up. After all, that's exactly what they're hoping we'll do. We should demand to know where every single candidate stands on access to abortion. And we should vote.

I'm fighting right alongside you, no matter what state you're in, to demand justice. This is not the final battle.

Very truly yours,

Jay