Tennessee Representative Joe Towns (D—Memphis) was the topic of discussion during last week’s press conference about the state’s recently passed abortion bill.
Towns recently voted ‘Yes,’ to an abortion bill that bans abortion if a fetal heartbeat is detected.
The Memphis field organizer for Planned Parenthood, has decided to revoke the endorsement away from the Democratic representative and find a new challenger for the position as soon as 2020.
“Towns sought TAPP’s endorsement and his prior record indicated he would be supportive of reproductive rights, but last week he voted yes to criminalize abortion,†said Ashley Coffield, CEO of the Tennessee Advocates of Planned Parenthood. “He has betrayed his constituents who want to keep abortion safe and legal.â€
Towns said he was unaware of the matter, but TAPP has the right to withdraw endorsement, even though Planned Parenthood was not the reason he won reelection.
“I don’t work for any special interest group,†Towns said. “They’re not who I’m obligated to. I’m obligated to the people of my district.â€
The House committee voted 15-4 in favor of the ‘criminal’ bill in Tennessee, taking them one step closer to a vote by the legislature on one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the nation.
Towns was one of three Democrats who supported the bill when it cleared earlier in the month.
Most Democrats want abortion to remain legal and safe, but Towns’ decision to support the bill goes against this idea.
Thomas Walker, Memphis field organizer for the Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi, talked about the effect Towns’ decision has on women and Planned Parenthood.
“Joe Towns is out of touch of what his supporters want, and certainly out of touch with the needs of women,†Walker said. “His reversal on this has been shocking for many of his constituents, and given that in 2014 when amendment one was on the ballot as a constitutional amendment, his district overwhelmingly voted against it and so did he. It’s mystifying and it’s bad legislation.â€
Amber Sherman, a constituent from Joe Towns, also voiced her displeasure in Towns decision.
“I am extremely concerned for the victims who will seek an abortion after six weeks and no longer have a safe choice,†Sherman said. “The emotional and physical damage we’re inflicting on women with this bill is detrimental and the fact that Joe Towns still voted for it to pass shows he doesn’t care about women’s rights to make decisions about their healthcare.â€
