Someone's Playing Politics with ChoiceAs longtime active supporters of reproductive freedom, we are gratified that both candidates for the Illinois State Legislature in the 17th District -- the Republican incumbent as well as Democratic challenger Daniel Biss -- are staunchly pro-choice. Unfortunately, this luxury is somewhat rare. The Republican ticket is headed by John McCain and Sarah Palin, avowed opponents of reproductive freedom. Here in Illinois, there are over a dozen legislative districts this year alone where a pro-choice candidate has the opportunity to unseat an anti-choice legislator. It is our feeling that the pro-choice movement should focus its resources on those critical races. We are therefore dismayed that some pro-choice advocacy groups have not only endorsed the 17th District's Republican incumbent, but are already working hard to defeat pro-choice Democrat Daniel Biss. An unidentified group or individual has even gone so far as to pay for a push poll, a false and misleading survey, that claims he is not pro-choice. We are surprised the Republican incumbent Elizabeth Coulson would allow herself to benefit from such tactics. We strongly urge the Republican incumbent and her supporters to take the same high road that Mr. Biss has taken in his campaign and immediately put an end to the false statements. It takes more than simply denying responsibility. The Republican incumbent should take action to prevent these kinds of false and misleading tactics used by her supporters, now and in the future, and publicly acknowledge Daniel Biss's commitment to reproductive freedom. We further believe that women's reproductive health issues go beyond the choice issue. Over the course of her career, the Republican incumbent has voted to allow anesthesiologists to deny indigent women epidurals during labor and twice opposed the Family and Medical Leave Act which would have provided 12 weeks off to care for an infant child or family member stricken by serious illness. For these reasons and many others, we proudly and enthusiastically support Daniel Biss for State Representative.
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky |