My life is at risk because of Arkansas’s extreme abortion ban

{NAME},  As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), I’ve had a front row seat to the way Republicans’ extreme power grabs have harmed women and LGBTQ families here in Arkansas.  I have proudly defended reproductive freedoms, and I accepted the call of my community to run for Congress to fight for our collective rights.  But I didn’t plan on this being part of the story: [A graphic featuring a headline from Arkansas Democrat Gazette, which reads: “Her IVF pregnancy is not viable and endangers her under Arkansas law, Democratic congressional candidate Draper says.”]( After four years of IVF, my husband and I were overjoyed when we learned earlier this year that I was pregnant. We desperately wanted this pregnancy and we have worked for years to get to this point.  But after a routine prenatal check-up, I learned this week that my pregnancy is non-viable, and that a miscarriage is just a matter of time.  More alarming is the fact that these tests indicate I may be facing an ectopic pregnancy – one that could immediately put my life at risk.  There is only one treatment for a non-viable, potentially ectopic pregnancy: an abortion.  But thanks to Arkansas’s extreme abortion ban, I will almost certainly be forced to travel across multiple state lines to receive this life-saving healthcare procedure.  I shared my story with the Arkansas Democrat Gazette because our lawmakers need to hear these stories – and voters deserve to know how our representatives are putting lives at risk.  One of those lawmakers is my opponent, Rep. Steve Womack – who in 2021 signed on to co-sponsor the Life at Conception Act along with two other representatives from our state. [Screenshot of the official Congress cosponsors page of the Life at Conception Act of 2021, a.k.a. HR 1011, showing Womack along with Crawford and Westerman as cosponsors of the bill.]( [I’ve partnered with Vortex, the grassroots movement launched by Dr. Chris Jones that supports all four Democratic House candidates on the ballot this year in Arkansas. Will you split a contribution between my campaign and Vortex today so we can flip AR-03 and restore reproductive freedom?]( [Donate now >>]( The Life at Conception Act that Womack cosponsored constitutes a national abortion ban. Beyond that, the bill would impact families like mine by effectively shutting down IVF.  After speaking with me, the Gazette reached out to Congressman Womack to get his reaction to the news that his policies are putting my life at risk.  His response? A campaign spokesperson said Womack “will not comment on this personal, family matter.”  But that’s the point, isn’t it Congressman? My pregnancy isn’t a political matter. IT’S PERSONAL. And no lawmaker has any right to interfere in the private medical decisions for me or my family.  [P]([lease give generously to support my campaign and the vital work of Vortex so we can flip these seats and restore abortion rights nationwide.](  With gratitude,  Caitlin Draper Democratic Candidate for Congress, AR-03 [Donate to Vortex PAC](      Vortex PAC is a new grassroots movement to transform Arkansas politics away from the far-right. We are recruiting, training, and supporting Democratic candidates to flip all four of Arkansas’ U.S. congressional districts and help win back the House majority in 2024. [DONATE >>](   You can follow Vortex PAC on social media using the links below:  [Facebook]( | [X]( | [Instagram]( | [TikTok](   Paid for by Vortex PAC  ©2024 Vortex PAC, all rights reserved  Our mailing address is: Vortex PAC PO Box 1141 Springdale, AR 72765 We're sad to see you go, but if you believe you received this email in error, or you no longer wish to receive our emails you can unsubscribe using the link below: [Click here to unsubscribe.]( Sent via [ActionNetwork.org](. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Vortex PAC, please [click here](.