Democrats for Life following Congressional and state races

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Nov 3, 2020 / 16:00 pm

While the Democratic Party's official platform for the 2020 election includes support for taxpayer-funded abortion on demand throughout a pregnancy, a number of Democratic candidates at the local, state, and national level have bucked the party line on abortion to stand for life while standing for election, according to the Democrats for Life of America. 

"We are following the highest numbers of races in DFLA history," Kristen Day, president of Democrats for Life of America, told CNA on Tuesday.

Day said her organization backed over 100 candidates, including two congressional candidates. Democrats for Life of America released the "True Blue List" of the candidates and initiatives they are supporting this year. 

Rep. Collin Peterson (DFL-MN) is running for reelection in Minnesota's 7th Congressional District. Peterson defeated his 2018 challenger in a fairly close election, and is being challenged in 2020 by Michelle Fischbach, the former lieutenant governor. 

Fischbach is also pro-life--her mother is a co-executive director of National Right to Life, and her husband is the leader of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life. 

In March, Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), survived a primary challenge from Jessica Cisneros, a 26-year-old immigration lawyer. Cisneros was supported by Justice Democrats, a progressive organization, and was critical of Cuellar for his pro-life positions. Cuellar was first elected to Congress in 2004. He is expected to be reelected in 2020. 

In Louisiana's 3rd Congressional District, both major-party candidates are pro-life: Braylon Harris (D) is running against two-term representative Clay Higgins (R-LA), and two other candidates.

On the state level, Rep. John DeBerry (D-Memphis), is seeking a 14th term as state representative from Tennessee's 90th District. In May, DeBerry was removed from the primary ballot by the Tennessee Democratic Party, in part due to his pro-life beliefs. DeBerry is running as an independent in 2020 in the general election. 

The number of pro-life Democrats in the U.S. Congress has continued to dwindle in recent elections because of retirements, primary challenges, and changed allegiances attributed to Democratic party pressure for abortion support.

Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL), who was first elected to Congress in 2004, lost a primary challenge earlier this year to Marie Newman. Newman, who made her support for abortion central to her challenge to Lipinski, was supported by most mainstream Democratic Party organizations throughout the primary.