Leading Pro-Choice Organization Endorses Sheldon Wasserman for State Senate in 8th District
MILWAUKEE – NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin PAC announced their endorsement of Representative Sheldon Wasserman for State Senate in the 8th district today. A well-known and respected obstetrician-gynecologist, Rep. Wasserman has proven to be a consistent leader on women's health issues during his 14 years in the State Assembly.
"Women in our community need a voice for women's reproductive rights in the State Senate," said Rea Katz, a district resident and Assistant Professor of the Physician Assistant Program at a regional university. "Moreover, we need a State Senator that will stay committed to women's health regardless of political pressure. Based on his record, it is clear that Sheldon Wasserman would be just such a State Senator."
NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin's recent 2007-08 legislative scorecard noted Sheldon Wasserman's 100% lifetime voting record on reproductive rights legislation. He has never voted against a pro-choice bill in his 14 years as a Wisconsin state legislator.
In contrast, incumbent Senator Alberta Darling has an inconsistent voting record on reproductive rights. She has voted both for and against the Compassionate Care for Rape Victims bill during her career, and has received only a lifetime "C" on NPCW's legislative scorecard. Darling even voted against contraceptive equity, legislation that required employers to cover basic contraception in an employee's health plan if other common medications were covered.
"Alberta Darling promotes herself as pro-choice to pro-choice audiences, and anti-abortion to anti-abortion audiences," said Carmen Marg-Patton, Political Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin. "Her inconsistent voting record shows she cannot be trusted to vote on behalf of Wisconsin women.
"We need legislators who are committed to protecting women's health care, not someone who will talk out of both sides of her mouth."
NPCW noted that Darling was recently endorsed by the anti-choice organization Wisconsin Right to Life.
"Senator Darling solicited and received support from an extremist organization that not only opposes abortion rights, but also opposes access to birth control and basic medical research," said Marg-Patton. "This is a clear signal to voters that she intends to continue opposing efforts to protect women's health in the Legislature.
"Sheldon Wasserman has proven to be a consistent champion for Wisconsin women. He deserves election to the State Senate."
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