Stupak's Out; Put NOW/PAC Endorsed Connie Saltonstall In

Statement of NOW President Terry O'Neill

April 9, 2010

With Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) reportedly retiring, women who felt betrayed by his ill-conceived Stupak-Pitts anti-abortion provision are rejoicing. The National Organization for Women Political Action Committee endorsed Charlevoix County Commissioner Connie Saltonstall last month to challenge Stupak for Michigan's 1st District. Saltonstall entered the race with less than six months to campaign; but now, with renewed energy and momentum, Saltonstall is no longer the new kid on the block but the best and brightest choice for Michigan's 1st District.

Just five months ago, Stupak and his Republican counterpart, Joe Pitts (R-Pa.), led the charge to insert a sweeping anti-abortion provision into the health reform bill, callously figuring they could hijack the process to severely restrict women's access to abortion care. Stupak's attempt to put his own religious ideology ahead of women's health care needs made him unfit to serve in Congress. NOW/PAC is delighted Saltonstall emerged when she did, giving the people of Michigan's 1st District and women across the country a new voice for equality and justice.

Saltonstall is a strong champion of women's issues. She supports reproductive justice, affirmative action, pay equity, constitutional equality and equal marriage rights. She is also in favor of repealing the Hyde Amendment, which bars the use of federal funds to pay for abortions; significantly increasing funding for programs under the Violence Against Women Act; rescinding the Defense of Marriage Act; expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act to add paid leave; and reversing the damage done to Title IX during the Bush regime.

We call on the Democratic Party leadership to immediately and enthusiastically support Connie Saltonstall. NOW/PAC will be mobilizing to help Saltonstall's campaign, and we look forward to the day she becomes the Congresswoman from Michigan's 1st District.

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For Immediate Release
Contact: Latoya Veal w. 202-628-8669, ext. 116, c. 301-660-3447

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