She’s long been a lightning rod in the abortion debate and now Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, is stepping down.  Richards announced her decision in a video released this morning.   After serving a decade as the administrator of the nation’s best-known women’s health program, Richards now wants to become actively involved in Democratic politics.  The question is how active?  Richards, the daughter of the late Governor of Texas Ann Richards,  says she wants to support and mentor some of the many women candidates running this fall.  But some in the Democratic party believe she has bigger plans.

 “I don’t know what my future holds, but I do know I’ve been fortunate enough to be kind of a troublemaker my whole life; I was raised by a troublemaker, the late great governor of Texas, Ann Richards — and, as my friend, Congressman John Lewis, would say, good trouble, I hope. So whatever I do, in my lifetime, I’ve always been incredibly privileged to be able, I hope, make a difference in the lives of folks who may just need a break. So that’s my hope for my future.” –Cecile Richards on “The Daily Show”

Richards’ departure comes at a time when the Trump administration wants to remove taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood.  The organization is the nation’s largest abortion provider and has long been the target of conservatives in Congress.  Besides becoming more active in politics, Richards has a new book that’s being released in April called “Make Trouble: Standing Up, Speaking Out, and Finding the Courage to Lead — My Life Story.”