Politics

Loeffler Hits Collins For ‘Shameful’ Record On Abortion, Touts Pro-Life Endorsements In Georgia Senate Race

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Republican Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler touted the endorsements of several pro-life groups in her bid against Republican Georgia Rep. Doug Collins for an empty Senate seat in November.

Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp appointed Loeffler to replace former Georgia Sen. Johnny Isakson in December 2019, though President Donald Trump had reportedly pushed Kemp to pick Trump-supporter Collins.

Collins entered the race for the Senate seat in January, which the National Republican Senate Committee criticized as “stunning” and shortsighted. The Georgia representative, who has not yet responded to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation, has expressed opposition to abortion throughout his time as a U.S. representative and has pushed for pro-life legislation on a number of occasions.

But Loeffler spokesman Stephen Lawson noted to the DCNF that Collins has also “repeatedly sided with special interests and voted to fund Planned Parenthood.”

“That’s shameful — and shows that he can’t be trusted,” Lawson said, noting that Loeffler has cosponsored multiple pieces of pro-life legislation in “just four short months.”

“With endorsements from National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony List, Family Policy Alliance and others, it’s clear that Kelly Loeffler is the only true pro-life candidate in this race,” he added.

WATCH: 

Abortion is not a victimless choice. We must cultivate compassion and practical support for women who find themselves pregnant under difficult or oppressive circumstances, and we must protect the most defenseless humans among us. pic.twitter.com/EQpkPS3JF9

— Rep. Doug Collins (@RepDougCollins) June 4, 2019

Loeffler initially sparked pro-life anxieties over her position on the board of Grady Memorial Hospital. Activists, including the Susan B. Anthony List, expressed concern in November 2019 that Grady Hospital employs five abortionists and hosts the largest training program for abortionists in Georgia.

But the National Right to Life Committee, the Susan B. Anthony List and the Georgia Family Policy Alliance have since endorsed the Georgia senator, who said in a May statement that “every life is a precious gift from God.”

“We endorsed Senator Loeffler in February of this year, and remain proud to stand with her for re-election,” SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser told the DCNF on Tuesday. “As a strong, authentic pro-life leader, her voice is needed in the Senate at this pivotal moment.”

“She is already using that voice as she passionately argued on the Senate floor against a Democratic filibuster of legislation to ban late-term abortions and infanticide,” Dannenfelser added. “We are looking forward to continue working with Senator Loeffler – she is serving Georgians well.”

Loeffler said in a statement that “protecting innocent life has been a top priority from day one.”

“In that time, I sponsored legislation to stop the abortion-on-demand agenda and to support the life movement in America,” Loeffler said, adding, “I am honored to earn the endorsement of National Right to Life and will work together to continue to defend the rights of the unborn and promote a culture of life.”

National Right to Life Committee President Carol Tobias said in a statement that though Loeffler is “new to politics,” she has “already become one of the strongest and most vocal pro-life advocates in Washington.”

“With a 100% pro-life voting record and a bold approach to fighting for the unborn against the pro-abortion agenda, she is exactly the type of conservative leader that will stand up for Georgia’s values and deliver meaningful results on the issues that matter most,” Tobias added in a statement.

“We are proud to endorse such a tremendous pro-life champion in Georgia’s race for United States Senate,” he added.