By Maria Gallagher, PAC Director, Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation
Only one Democrat is running in the Pennsylvania Gubernatorial primary. And year in and year out, he has fought against any protections for preborn babies.
Democrat Josh Shapiro has adopted an extreme position on abortion, supporting it for any reason during all nine months of pregnancy. He opposes all limits on abortion and has used his bully pulpit as Pennsylvania Attorney General to denounce the most modest protections for preborn children and their mothers.
Pennsylvania has been suffering under the leadership of pro-abortion Governor Tom Wolf for many years. Wolf—a former Planned Parenthood volunteer clinic escort—has vowed to veto any and all pro-life legislation.
And yet, a number of observers believe that Shapiro would be even more combative on the issue of unborn rights, were he to be elected Governor.
Thankfully, each of the Republican candidates for Governor are unapologetically pro-life. The list of GOP hopefuls includes former Congressman Lou Barletta; state Senator Jake Corman; southeastern PA advocate Joe Gale; business owner Charlie Gerow; former Congresswoman Melissa Hart; state Senator Doug Mastriano; former U.S. Attorney Bill McSwain; businessman Dave White; and Dr. Nche Zama.
The Pennsylvania primary election is May 17th. In addition to the race for Governor, other contests include a U.S. Senate seat, the Lieutenant Governor’s office; 17 Congressional seats; half of the Pennsylvania Senate; and the entire PA House of Representatives.
A number of candidates have compelling personal testimonies about their dedication to safeguarding preborn babies and their mothers from harm.
Take, for instance, Ann Kaufman, a candidate for state representative from Williamsport, PA. Kaufman recently wrote, “The value of every human life, from conception until natural death, was instilled in me from a very young age. I have attended the March for Life in Washington, D.C. for many years, attended the first March for Life in Harrisburg, attend the annual Life Chain in Williamsport, in addition to being a regular supporter of Expectations Women’s Center in Williamsport and Greater Hope Pregnancy Care Center in Jersey Shore.”
Such commitment is edifying, and speaks to the long tradition of pro-life advocacy in the Keystone State. Despite what Josh Shapiro might think, Pennsylvania is, indeed, a pro-life state!