Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of MA and Reproductive Equity Now Endorse Challenger Persis Yu

Jun

2026

PRESS RELEASE

Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of MA and Reproductive Equity Now Endorse Challenger Persis Yu

June 22, 2026 | Hyde Park, MA — State Senate Candidate, Persis Yu, announced that she has secured the endorsement of Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts and Reproductive Equity Now (formerly NARAL), the two largest reproductive rights organizations in Massachusetts. Persis is challenging long-time incumbent Mike Rush, who has not faced a challenger in more than a decade and who has a history of voting against reproductive rights.

“Massachusetts has always led the nation in protecting a woman’s right to choose. With Roe gone, leadership on Beacon Hill matters more than ever,” said State Senate Candidate Persis Yu. “I’ve spent nearly twenty years fighting so working families aren’t priced out of what they need, and that’s exactly what reproductive freedom comes down to: whether care is something every family can actually reach and afford. To have both Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund and Reproductive Equity Now is an honor and a promise: I will never stop fighting to keep reproductive freedom real, accessible, and affordable across the Commonwealth, and to show the rest of the country what’s possible when we do.”

“At a time when federal attacks on Planned Parenthood health centers, patients, and providers have skyrocketed, state-level leadership and action matters as we seek to ensure Massachusetts remains a beacon for reproductive freedom and a safe place for people of all identities to live and access care,” said Dominique Lee, President of the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts. “The Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund is proud to endorse Persis Yu, a community-driven leader who will fight for every person’s right to make decisions about their health, body, and future.”

While Trump was dismantling Roe, State Senator Rush voted against ensuring and expanding access to reproductive healthcare here in Massachusetts. Specifically:

Rush voted against the Roe Act, which provides access to reproductive health services.
Rush voted against the right to non-interference in access to reproductive health care.
Rush skipped out on the vote to protect funding for clinics that offer abortion services.
Rush has previously received a 0% rating from Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund and NARAL.

In contrast, Persis has pledged to:

Keep abortion legal and accessible under state law.
Defend our doctors, nurses, and patients from out-of-state attacks and hostile litigation.
Make reproductive and gender-affirming care something every family can access and afford.

Earlier this month, Persis challenged Rush to a series of debates, noting that candidates have an obligation to educate and inform the people of the district about their positions on the issues that affect their everyday lives, such as reproductive healthcare. Persis believes that robust and informed engagement is critical to a vibrant and healthy democracy so that voters can learn the candidates’ positions on critical issues such as reproductive rights, and other issues that affect their everyday lives. Rush has not responded to Persis’s request.

Background:

Persis launched her campaign for the Massachusetts State Senate seat representing Norfolk and Suffolk in October 2025. As a State Senator, Persis pledges to fight for the families in Boston, Dedham, Norwood, Walpole, and Westwood to build a fair economy where families—not billionaires—come first.

Across her decades-long career as a social worker and attorney standing up for the most vulnerable people in Massachusetts and across the country, Persis has sued big banks, tech companies, debt collectors, airlines, and the Trump Administration on behalf of families, workers, and labor unions. Her advocacy on behalf of people with student debt led President Biden to deliver more than $200 billion in debt relief to 5 million people across the country—including nearly $3 billion dollars in debt relief to nearly 70,000 people in Massachusetts.

Persis has also received endorsements from Mass Alliance, Progressive Massachusetts, Progressive West Roxbury/Roslindale, JP Progressives, and the New England Chinese American Alliance, along with a slate of local elected officials from the towns in the district.

Further reading: