Unfortunately, efforts to pull the Oregon GOP away from its commitment to protecting the unborn continue. Therefore, it is critical that pro-life advocates make the hard choices necessary to stop this from happening.
How does winning primary elections work? It works as long as pro-life advocates remain committed to the issue over party and personalities. Primaries tend to be the most controversial elections because there are many personalities and issues. Every primary election, ORTL PAC has to choose between making Republicans happy and doing the right thing. Sometimes, we take a risk and don’t win. But, most of the time, it works. Looking back years later, we see the payoff for the movement.
For example, just two years ago, ORTL PAC got heavily involved in supporting first-time candidate Rich Vial for State Representative in House District 26. One of Rich’s opponents, Matt Wingard, threatened to sue us because he did not like what was being said about him. We did not give in to his threats. We won that primary and helped Rich win the fall election as well. He’s been a reliable pro-life vote in the Oregon Legislature. However, the decision to remain in the fight came with a price. Wingard did sue ORTL. Thankfully, we have prevailed, with the State Court of Appeals recently ruling in our favor. Our constitutional right to freely speak on behalf of pro-life voters was affirmed and our decision to not shrink from the fight paid off.
Every election, we must make hard choices and stay focused on the pro-life cause. My encouragement to pro-life advocates is to put aside other issues, personalities, and the party banner to vote pro-life first. Pro-life voters are the unborn’s only voice in the political process. Let’s make the hard choices for them.
