With Pennsylvania’s primary season coming to a close yesterday evening, the U.S. House map is set in the Commonwealth. Here’s what you need to know about the Trump-craven, anti-abortion GOP candidates.
PA-01: Brian Fitzpatrick
- Fitzpatrick voted twice against legislation (2021, 2022) that would codify the right to access abortion.
- Fitzpatrick was specifically lauded by Trump at a March for Life rally.
- Despite a history of preaching fiscal responsibility, Fitzpatrick voted against cracking down on the misuse of federal funds by pregnancy crisis centers.
- Fitzpatrick has tried to play the part of “moderate,” but he cozied up to Trump’s allies who tried to overturn the 2020 election at the “Stop the Steal” rally, which, after attendees stormed the Capitol, resulted in the death of seven people — including a police officer.
- This included receiving tens of thousands of dollars in donations.
PA-07: Ryan Mackenzie
- Mackenzie, who touted that he took on the “abortion industry,” voted in favor of not allowing abortion to be a right in Pennsylvania’s constitution.
- Mackenzie also gloated about his 100% rating from the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation.
- Mackenzie boasted that he was the first and only candidate in his congressional race to endorse Donald Trump.
- Mackenzie made light of Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, and likened them to “throwing a ‘challenge’ flag during a football game.”
PA-08: Rob Bresnahan
- Bresnahan enthusiastically endorsed Trump for president well before Nikki Haley dropped out of the race. Trump is facing 91 felony charges.
- Bresnahan received Trump’s endorsement, who specifically cited that Bresnehan would stand up against “election interference.”
- On the issue of abortion rights, Bresnahan has been quiet about where he stands.
- But Bresnahan was endorsed by Speaker Mike Johnson, who has gone so far as to refuse to answer if discarding an embryo was murder.
- Bresnahan also accepted a donation from Dr. Oz’s PAC. Yes, this guy.
PA-10: Scott Perry
- Perry defined himself as “strongly pro-life” and celebrated being endorsed by the National Right to Life Committee.
- Perry celebrated the overturning of Roe because it “ensured that states can now make decisions regarding abortion.”
- Contradictory to that, Perry co-sponsored the Life at Conception Act four times (2023, 2021, 2019, 2018).
- Perry was integral to Trump’s efforts to overthrow the 2020 election, with former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson claiming he was central to the planning process and asked for a “pardon following the attack on the capitol”
- A judge ordered that Perry had to turn over his phone records for the January 6th probe due to his involvement.
PA-17: Robert Mercuri
- Mercuri said “every life has dignity and that it starts at conception,” and that the state legislature should pass bills that reflect rabid, anti-abortion positions.
- Mercuri went so far as to co-sponsor a six-week abortion ban in the Pennsylvania state house.
- The legislation meant any violation could result in, up to, seven years of prison.
- Mercuri voted in favor of not allowing abortion to be a right in Pennsylvania’s constitution, and applauded the Supreme Court for overturning Roe.
- But it’s clear Mercuri knows his positions aren’t popular with Pennsylvanians as he scrubbed mentions of abortion from his website — but then turned around and attended an anti-abortion rally.
- Mercuri has also refused to answer if he still supports Trump, despite previously supporting him in 2020.
Published: Apr 24, 2024 | Last Modified: Apr 29, 2024