Minnesota NARAL Disappointed by Republican Endorsement of Coleman
Saint Paul, MN--Minnesota NARAL, an affiliate of the National Abortion and Reproduction Rights Action League and the state's largest pro-choice grassroots organization, expresses deep disappointment with today's Minnesota Republican Party’s endorsement of former St. Paul mayor and anti-choice Senate candidate Norm Coleman. "With today's announcement, the Republican Party missed an opportunity to endorse a statewide candidate who trusts Minnesota's women to make their own reproductive health decisions," stated Tim Stanley, Executive Director of Minnesota NARAL. "Clearly, the voters of Minnesota now have only one pro-choice Senate candidate who supports and defends a woman's constitutional right to privacy," said Stanley. For twelve years, Paul Wellstone has upheld a solid pro-choice voting record and has been a tireless advocate for women's health issues. He co-sponsored the Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act (S. 104) that would require private health insurers that offer prescription-drug coverage to cover prescription contraceptives on an equal basis. Senator Wellstone also fought for a measure to require health insurers to provide adequate access to obstetric and gynecological services. Norm Coleman would support the Bush administration's policies to limit women's reproductive choices and could be a crucial vote to approve the most extreme Supreme Court nominees. In fact, he signed a Christian Coalition pledge to ban abortion even in cases of rape or incest when he ran for governor in 1998. "We need a Senator who will find ways to reduce unintended pregnancies, instead of mandating what women can and cannot do with their own bodies," Stanley said. "I wonder when the Republican Party is going to understand that Minnesota voters elect candidates that support the pro-choice position and reject candidates who will rollback their rights. We hope the next Republican Convention will feature at least a few candidates without such extreme positions." Contact: Derek B. Reise 651-602-7655 ###
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