Democrat Mac Deford (pictured), a candidate for U.S. Congress in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, this week launched a new advertisement that discusses the impacts on his family following his grandmother Adele's death from a backroom abortion in 1960. In the ad, Deford and his mother, Robin, recount what the family went through as a result of laws that are being brought back by some politicians following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
The advertisement illustrates the personal toll these laws can take, detailing how Adele's death left eight children without a mother and a husband without a wife, ultimately leading to Robin’s placement in foster care. You can see the ad below.
“This is not just my family’s story," Deford said. "It’s a stark reminder of what’s at stake if we don’t protect reproductive rights."
Deford said he is running for Congress to ensure every woman has the ability to make the health care decisions that are best for her and her family. His reproductive rights plan includes:
- Codifying Roe v. Wade: Ensuring that reproductive rights are federally protected to prevent states from enacting restrictive and unsafe abortion laws.
- Creating a Statutory Right to IVF: Safeguarding the right to in vitro fertilization and ensuring families have access to necessary reproductive technologies.
- Promoting Educational Programs on Reproductive Health: Increasing awareness and understanding through comprehensive educational initiatives.
- Supporting Maternal Health: Committing resources to improve health outcomes for mothers throughout pregnancy and postpartum.
"As a nation, we must affirm that we will not return to a time where women’s bodily autonomy, dignity, and self-determination are stripped away. It is a matter of human decency and justice," Deford said.
