Memo: State of the Pennsylvania Governors Race

To: Interested Parties

From: Marshall Cohen, DGA Political Director

Subject: State of the Pennsylvania Governors Race

As we head into the final stretch of the Pennsylvania primary we are starting to look ahead and think about how we’ll hold the Republicans accountable. All of the leading Republican candidates for governor have pushed dangerous and extreme ideas that would ban abortions in Pennsylvania. The threat that these candidates pose became real this week, when a leaked draft showed the US Supreme Court is poised to overturn the landmark case “Roe v Wade.”

Here is how each candidate would be a real danger to Pennsylvania women:

WHITE: 

Dave White is another Republican with dangerous views on key issues, including abortion. In fact, White is more extreme on abortion than most Republicans. He recently said at a debate that there should be NO exceptions for rape, incest, or if the life of the mother is in danger. At a time when Governors could decide the future of a woman’s right to choose in each state, we now know Dave White would put women’s lives at risk and ban abortion.

MCSWAIN:

Bill McSwain is too extreme for Pennsylvania. He celebrated the news that the U.S. Supreme Court planned to overturn Roe v. Wade. Furthermore, McSwain promised that, if elected, he would “happily” sign one of the most extreme abortion bans in the country. McSwain even said he would support a total abortion ban in Pennsylvania and believed overturning Roe v. Wade was “the right decision.” McSwain’s extreme anti-abortion position is out-of-step with the vast majority of Americans.

BARLETTA:

Lou Barletta has a long, extremist record on abortion rights. Barletta called the news that the U.S. Supreme Court planned to overturn Roe v. Wade a “victory.” His vision for Pennsylvania includes a future where performing an abortion is criminalized – leaving women without a right to make their own health care decisions. During a debate, Barletta touted his “100% voting record” on anti-abortion legislation – which included co-sponsoring a 6 week abortion ban that would ban abortion before most women know they are pregnant. He also stated that if he was elected Governor, a doctor should be punished for performing an abortion. Women, not politicians, should control their bodies.

MASTRIANO:

Doug Mastriano has made it his top priority to ban and criminalize abortion in Pennsylvania. During a recent debate, Mastriano said that banning abortion before most women knew they were pregnant was “the number one issue” for him. Even worse, he stated there should be NO exceptions for rape, incest, or if the life of the mother is in danger and, if he was elected Governor, that performing an abortion would “be a crime.” If Mastriano is elected, his anti-abortion agenda will put women’s lives at risk.