Colorado Candidate Advocates for Abortion Rights as Economic Freedom

Melat Quiros, a socialist candidate in Colorado, equates the right to terminate a fetus’ heartbeat with “economic freedom” in her campaign platform. This assertion hits a nerve with critics who argue it contradicts traditional values in modern feminism.

Quiros, who has the backing of Senator Bernie Sanders, is running against incumbent Democrat Diana DeGette in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District. Supported by the Democratic Socialists of America and the Justice Democratic Party, she faces scrutiny regarding her competitiveness. Nevertheless, a recent poll from Data for Progress indicates that Quiros is ahead of DeGette by 41% to 36% in the primary race.

Her platform emphasizes progressive initiatives, including universal child care, Medicare for All, and the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, what stands out is her strong endorsement of abortion rights, framed through terms like “reproductive justice” and “bodily autonomy.”

In her campaign literature, she claims that reproductive rights have faced relentless attacks over the years. She argues that restrictions on certain medical procedures will instill fear in healthcare providers and allow politicians to make decisions that should rest with patients and families.

“It’s not enough to talk about protecting reproductive freedom,” she asserts, stressing the necessity of ensuring the right to end a pregnancy.

Quiros advocates for codifying abortion rights into federal law, insisting that merely acknowledging the right to terminate a pregnancy is insufficient. She believes reproductive health services should also incorporate access to gender-affirming care, including surgeries and hormone therapies meant to support individuals with gender dysphoria.

Her campaign emphasizes the need to safeguard access to all areas of reproductive health, addressing issues like maternal health and the crisis of maternal mortality disproportionately impacting Black women, although she does not mention the high rates of Black abortions.

According to her platform, preserving the ability to seek medical treatment across state lines and overturning restrictive laws like those in the Comstock Act are priorities. Quiros provocatively argues that a woman’s right to make choices about her pregnancy is linked to “economic freedom.”

“Reproductive freedom is also economic freedom,” she states. “It’s time to enshrine reproductive rights as a constitutional guarantee. No individual should have their autonomy dictated by political leaders.”

Embracing her identity as a Democratic socialist, she shared a social media clip where she expresses her support for abortion with enthusiasm, even stating, “I love abortion.”

A recent Democratic poll reveals that just over half of respondents favor unrestricted abortion access, which might align her radical stance with a significant portion of the party. Moreover, Quiros is also advocating for a “trans bill of rights,” which she believes should encompass gender-affirming care for all age groups, including minors.