March, 24 2010, 02:33pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Planned
Parenthood Action Fund, 202-973-4882
NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC, 202-973-3032
Nation's Two Leading Pro-Choice Groups Back Candidate Challenging Rep. Bart Stupak
Planned Parenthood Action Fund, NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC Endorse Primary Challenger Connie Saltonstall in Michigan’s 1st Congressional District
WASHINGTON
The
Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the advocacy and political arm of
Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and NARAL Pro-Choice America
PAC today announced their respective endorsements of Connie Saltonstall,
who is challenging anti-choice incumbent Rep. Bart Stupak in the
Democratic primary in Michigan's 1st Congressional District.
"The Planned Parenthood Action Fund is proud to endorse Connie
Saltonstall for U.S. representative," said Cecile Richards, president of
the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. "Connie is a passionate advocate
for women and their reproductive rights and has a strong record of
promoting and protecting women's health."
"We are proud to put the support of our PAC behind Connie Saltonstall
in this pivotal primary race," said Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL
Pro-Choice America. "The voters in Michigan's 1st District are looking
for an alternative to Bart Stupak. For years, he has attacked women's
freedom and privacy and, for the last several months, seized the
national spotlight as he held health care reform hostage to his
anti-choice political views. The clock is ticking on Mr. Stupak's '15
minutes of fame.' We will work to put an end to Mr. Stupak's
divisiveness and replace him with a leader like Connie, who represents
Michigan's mainstream values."
Saltonstall, who is a mediator and board member of North Community
Mediation, serves as board president of Hospice of Northwest Michigan
and recently completed a three-year term on the Charlevoix County
Commission on Aging. In 2008, Saltonstall ran for Michigan state
representative in the 105th District. In 2006, she served as Charlevoix
County commissioner.
As a U.S. representative, Saltonstall will work to improve access to
quality health care for women, support and protect a woman's right to
choose, strengthen comprehensive sex education to keep our young people
healthy and safe, and invest in prevention programs, including family
planning services and breast cancer screenings.
"Clearly it's time for change in Michigan's 1st Congressional
District," said Sarah Scranton, executive director of PP Advocates of
MI. "Michigan voters deserve a representative like Connie Saltonstall
who will put their commonsense health care needs ahead of ideology and
politics."
"Connie Saltonstall is a champion for women, women's health and
choice who will be an active proponent for the women and families of
Michigan. She will work to ensure that women's health is a priority on
the congressional agenda," said Richards.
Saltonstall is running against Rep. Bart Stupak, an anti-choice
representative, who drew the ire of women over his attempts to restrict
individuals from using their own money to buy health insurance that
included abortion coverage. During the health care debate, Rep. Stupak
continuously tried to block health care reform unless the Stupak
abortion coverage ban was adopted. Fortunately, Rep. Stupak failed in
his attempt to insert the Stupak abortion coverage ban in the final
health care reform bill.
The primary election will be held on August 3.
NARAL Pro-Choice America fights for reproductive freedom for every body. Each day, we organize and mobilize to protect that freedom by fighting for access to abortion care, birth control, aid parental leave, and protections from pregnancy discrimination.
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