Abortion rights group to target Huizenga, Barrett and James in 2026 midterms
EMILYs List plans to target three Republican members of the U.S. House from Michigan in the 2026 midterms.
The group, which backs women candidates who support abortion rights, announced Wednesday that U.S. Reps. Bill Huizenga (R-Zeeland), Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) and John James (R-Shelby Twp.) are key targets for Democrats to flip.
They are among 46 House Republicans being targeted nationwide, with EMILYs List president Jessica Mackler saying in a statement that the group will be 'putting their extremism on blast.'
A press release points to the three members' support of the short-term spending plan passed by House Republicans, which the group says could undermine health care for more than 100,000 constituents in each member's district, as well as the fact that all three have previously been endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Additionally, the group noted all three lawmakers voted in January for the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, a bill they say would penalize doctors for providing life-saving care.
Sara Spain, a spokesperson for EMILYs List, said that people are currently 'feeling a lot of pain.'
'It's very clear that American people are really looking for leaders who are coming from their communities, who are understanding the struggles and aren't going to be this rubber stamp for Trump's Project 2025 extremism to kind of help us out of the crisis that we're facing,' Spain said.
The efforts go beyond advertising, Spain said, as EMILYs List works to recruit candidates to challenge the incumbent Republicans.
'Something EMILYs List really prioritizes, especially in races like these that are key flips, is doing everything we can to meet voters in a unique way,' Spain said.
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