The Democratic candidate for House District 18 is Anand Patel. Patel, a small-business owner, husband and father, says that he “will always stand up for a woman’s right to an abortion so she can make her own health care decisions.” Patel says he “will fight any politician trying to restrict our freedoms or endanger women’s health.” 

Patel has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania PAC, an affiliate of one of the nation’s leading reproductive rights advocacy organizations that typically only endorses candidates who pledge to support pro-choice policies. 

Patel’s Republican opponent is incumbent Rep. K.C. Tomlinson. Tomlinson claimed to support abortion rights during her 2022 campaign. However, she has voted to support restrictions on abortion providers that pose undue burdens on the health care providers. She has also voted for legislation that would limit abortion in certain instances, a bill that she also co-sponsored. 

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, a wave of anti-abortion legislation has been proposed by Republicans throughout the country. In 2022, Pennsylvania’s Republican-led legislature passed SB 106. The bill, which needs to be passed by the legislature a second time and approved by voters, would amend the state’s constitution by adding language that makes clear it does not guarantee any rights to abortion. The practical effect of the amendment would be to prevent legal challenges in state court to any strict anti-abortion laws passed in the future in Pennsylvania. 

Updated August 29, 2024.