NOW backs Stupak challenger

The National Organization for Women is throwing its backing to the Democrat mounting a primary challenge to Rep. Bart Stupak over his opposition to health care reform legislation.

NOW President Terry O'Neill told POLITICO her organization intended to mobilize its chapters in Michigan to support former Charlevoix County Commissioner Connie Saltonstall, who announced a challenge to Stupak last week as the congressman threatened to block a health care bill due to concerns about its language governing funding for abortion.


"Bart Stupak, colluding with the Catholic bishops, is trying to shut down women's access to a very important form of health care," O'Neill said Wednesday, describing Saltonstall as a potential ally on a host of issues. "She will work with us to repeal the Hyde Amendment. She will work to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. She supports the Equal Rights Amendment."

O'Neill said defeating Stupak was her "highest priority," along with supporting a challenger to Rep. Joe Pitts (R-Pa.), who worked with Stupak to craft an amendment that would have imposed strict limits on abortion funding.

Announcing her campaign against Stupak last week, Saltonstall issued a statement saying she objected most strongly to Stupak's willingness to scuttle his party's proposed health care overhaul.

"I believe that he has a right to his personal, religious views, but to deprive his constituents of needed health care reform because of those views is reprehensible," Saltonstall said.