FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 7, 2016
Contact: Mallory Quigley, [email protected], 703-380-6674
Ellmers’ Betrayal of Pro-lifers Cost Her Critical Support
Washington, D.C – Tonight the national pro-life group Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List) declared victory when Rep. George Holding defeated Rep. Renee Ellmers in North Carolina’s 2nd District primary election and longtime pro-life champion Rep. Virginia Foxx won her primary in the 5th District.
SBA List urged pro-life voters to “Dump Ellmers” after she actively worked in 2015 against the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, the group’s top legislative priority. Last month, SBA List and the North Carolina Values Coalition announced their joint endorsement of Rep. Holding.
SBA List’s North Carolina team, a ground operation of five field staff and more than 200 canvassers who have been active in the state since 2014, has had a team knocking on more than 12,500 doors across NC-02 in the last few weeks. In addition to reaching NC-02 pro-life primary voters at their door, SBA List also reached 90,000 voters through digital advertising. To date SBA List canvassers have knocked on a total of 185,000 doors throughout the state to educate voters on pro-life issues in the presidential race.
Below are key findings from SBA List’s door surveys in NC-02:
- 37.8% of Ellmers’s own supporters said they were less likely to vote for her knowing her role in derailing the Pain-Capable bill.
- 67.3% % of undecided pro-life primary voters were less likely to vote for Ellmers knowing her role in derailing the Pain-Capable bill.
“Susan B. Anthony List exists to support and amplify pro-life women’s voices. Rep. Renee Ellmers was our ally until she led the charge to derail the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. That’s why we had to flex the political muscle of the pro-life movement,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, SBA List president and a North Carolina native. “She has her own failed leadership to blame for this loss.”
“Congressman George Holding is a true champion of the pro-life cause, and we know he will continue to represent his constituents well by protecting unborn babies from abortion, especially after 20 weeks when they can feel pain. He is a principled leader who will continue to defend life and serve North Carolina with integrity,” said Tami Fitzgerald, SBA List’s North Carolina State Director.
The Susan B. Anthony List and its Political Action Committees, the SBA List Candidate Fund and Women Speak Out PAC, spent $16.71 million in the 2014 election cycle to defeat pro-abortion incumbents and elect pro-life candidates to federal and statewide office. The SBA List is dedicated to pursuing policies and electing candidates who will reduce and ultimately end abortion. To that end, the SBA List emphasizes the education, promotion, mobilization, and election of pro-life women. The SBA List is a network of more than 465,000 pro-life Americans nationwide.
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