NARAL Looks To Reinvigorate Political Presence, Rally Young Advocates

February 14, 2013 — NARAL Pro-Choice America is refreshing its image to increase its influence on Capitol Hill and counter the enthusiasm of young activists in the antiabortion-rights movement, Roll Call reports.

According to Roll Call, NARAL is strengthening its alliances with Democratic lawmakers, while the Republican Party has become increasingly hostile to the group. The organization spent $1.7 million during the 2012 election cycle -- compared with about $500,000 in 2010 -- while its political action committee contributed about $750,000 to Democratic candidates.

Newly named NARAL President Ilyse Hogue's "social-media savvy and fundraising acumen" also could advance the group's political presence, according to Roll Call.

Meanwhile, NARAL has sought to rally its members and other allies by cautioning them about the increasing enthusiasm of young abortion-rights opponents.

Samantha Gordon, a NARAL spokesperson, said the organization hired a public affairs firm to conduct blind interviews with antiabortion-rights college students. A video of one of the interviews was featured during the group's recent annual dinner commemorating the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision (Lorber, Roll Call, 2/12).