Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver today (Tuesday) announced formation of a women’s group designed to highlight his status as an abortion rights supporter.
Pat Schneider of Des Moines, part of the “Women for Culver Committee,” spoke at a statehouse news conference. “We’re gathered here today to reaffirm our commitment to choice and to support a candidate (who) shares that dedication,” Schneider says.
Culver’s competitor, Mike Blouin, has in the past supported a constitutional amendment banning abortion, but Blouin has said that if he’s elected governor he would not sign abortion restrictions into law. “Chet has a solid stance on that issue and refuses to reinvent himself to suit the political climate,” Schneider says. “While other candidates may leave us questioning that position because of past decisions, Chet Culver remains true to that position and what he believes in.”
Patty Judge, Culver’s runningmate, says a Culver/Judge administration will ensure a woman’s right to choose is protected. “I can tell you from the first day I met Chet Culver it was clear to me that he is a leader who listens to women, who understands and will fight for our concerns,” Judge says.
Culver says it’s clear from what’s happened in South Dakota, where that state’s governor has signed a law banning nearly all abortions, that abortion rights are under attack. “And I want to make it clear from the outset that as governor of Iowa I will veto any attempt to infringe on a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions,” Culver says.
Culver has unveiled what he terms an agenda for Iowa’s women that includes a hike in the minimum wage, more state spending on preschool programs and more government-paid health care insurance for women and children.
Representative Ed Fallon, another competitor for the Democrats’ nomination for governor, supports abortion rights as well.