Planned Parenthood Slams Richardson Over New Ad and His Abortion Record
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Republican gubernatorial candidate Dennis Richardson
The ad is narrated by a woman identifying herself as a “pro-choice Democrat” who will be supporting Richardson for governor before adding she thinks Richardson will “defend her right to choose.” Abortion was not specifically mentioned in the ad.
Representatives from Planned Parenthood said the ad contradicts Richardson's political record.
Richardson sponsored a “personhood amendment” in 2005 that, if passed, would have added restrictions to abortion procedures performed in the state.
Oregon Right to Life, a pro-life political action committee, endorsed Richardson and contributed approximately $80,000 to his campaign.
Oregon Right to Life did not respond to requests for an interview in time for publication.
Although Richardson received financial support from an anti-abortion organization, his true concerns are economic and environmental issues, not revisiting abortion, Meredith Glacken, spokeswoman for the Richardson campaign, said.
“It’s not even something he’s going to touch,” Glacken said. “The social issues have already been decided by the courts and by the people.”
A candidate must fill out a questionnaire about their stance on abortion and other medical issues to receive the endorsement from Oregon Right to Life.
Laura Terrill Patten, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon, said she thinks Oregon deserves more than a candidate who will tell voters he's pro-choice while accepting money from a group that's pro-life.
“He’s lying to someone,” Terrill Patten said. “Either to the voters or to one of his biggest special interests.”
“Richardson hasn’t made any attempt to condemn (Oregon Right to Life’s) agenda,” Planned Parenthood Communications Director Jimmy Radosta said. “Nobody has found out from Richardson which laws he’d veto if they came to his desk.”
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