By L.A. Williams
Christian Action League
June 9, 2016
More than a year ago, the Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League, warned Republicans who failed to support the pro-family issues that got them elected that their time in office could be cut short. He specifically called out North Carolina GOP Congresswoman Renee Ellmers for undermining the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. On Tuesday, Ellmers lost to George Holding and became the first Republican incumbent to fail in the primary.
“There are some powerful pro-life groups in North Carolina. These groups have developed a strong coalition in the state. So if they should come together and seek to find someone to challenge Renee Ellmers in a primary, and work to get in behind that candidate, there’s a good chance that candidate would win,” Dr. Creech predicted in February 2015.
That opportunity came when redrawn congressional districts pitted Holding, an incumbent from the old 13th District, against Ellmers, whose 2nd District moved north and east. The Susan B. Anthony List and the North Carolina Values Coalition wasted no time in getting behind Holding and canvassing voters to tell them about Ellmers’ reversal on pro-life legislation she championed in 2013.
The bill, which would have banned abortion after 20 weeks, was expected to be the first pro-life milestone of the 114th Congress, until Ellmers suddenly objected to language requiring women seeking a rape or incest exemption to have reported the crimes to authorities, language she had supported just two years earlier.
The Family Research Council called the flip-flop a betrayal and said other politicians should heed the warning.
“If anyone needed proof that voters will do more than take notice when Members of Congress betray the conservative, pro-life principles that they were elected to champion, Ellmers’s defeat should serve as a warning to other Republicans tempted to abandon their values,” advised an FRC press release.
The North Carolina Values Coalition echoed that sentiment.
“There is no amount of money, time, staff, or investment too large when it comes to holding our leaders accountable. Renee Ellmers should serve as an example to all leaders: when you compromise your integrity, you will lose,” said Tami Fitzgerald, the group’s executive director.
According to Breitbart News, the President of Students for Life, Kristan Hawkins added, “Pro-lifers flexed their muscles in North Carolina today and ousted Rep. Renee Elmers, who betrayed all those who value life when she halted the vote on the 20-week abortion ban in Congress. It matter immensely when our elected officials claim to be pro-life but fail to act on those precious values.”
