Maine Pro-Life Advocates Hope Congressional District Backs President Bush 
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by Maria Vitale Gallagher
LifeNews.com Staff Writer
October 27, 2004
LifeNews.com Note: This is the 21st in a series of articles covering the 2004 elections state by state from the pro-life viewpoint.
Augusta, ME (LifeNews.com) — Pro-life leaders in Maine are hoping residents will pull the lever for President George W. Bush come election day.
Maine Right to Life notes on its website that the President promoted and signed into law major pro-life legislation, including the Born Alive Infants Protection Act, Unborn Victims of Violence Act, and Partial Birth Abortion Ban.
In contrast, the pro-life group points out that Democratic candidate John Kerry has a 100 percent pro-abortion voting record and has been endorsed by the pro-abortion lobbying group known as NARAL.
Maine offers a unique situation for the presidential candidates because it splits its electoral votes by Congressional district.
While Kerry holds a lead overall in the state, Bush is competitive in the northern congressional district where he is behind by just a couple of percentage points. Should the president win more votes there than Kerry he will come away with one additional electoral vote.
In the race for the first Congressional district, Republican candidate Charles E. Summers, Jr. did not return a survey from National Right to Life, but posted a pro-abortion voting record in the Maine state legislature.
His opponent, Democrat Thomas Allen, also did not return a National Right to Life questionnaire and has a 100 percent pro-abortion voting record. Allen is endorsed by NARAL.
In the second Congressional race, Republican Brian Hamel gave pro-life answers 67 percent of the time on the National Right to Life questionnaire, but would not vote to overturn Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court decision which legalized abortion.
Meanwhile, Democrat Michael Michaud did not return the National Right to Life questionnaire but has a 64 percent pro-life voting record. While Michaud’s voting record is mixed, he would not vote to overturn Roe.
Michaud and Allen have strong leads in the polls.
Maine Right to Life also quizzed candidates for the state House and Senate about a dozen important pro-life issues.
Candidates were asked their stands on parental notice before an abortion; an Unborn Victims of Violence Act for Maine; the teaching of abstinence, and safety regulations for abortion facilities. They were also questioned about a 24-hour waiting period for abortions, the morning-after pill, euthanasia, abortion funding, and embryonic stem cell research.
In addition, Maine Right to Life asked candidates if they would favor legislation that would require the father of an unborn child to be notified when a woman seeks an abortion; if doctors should be penalized if they fail to report abortions; and if health clinics in schools should counsel for abortion or do abortion referrals.
On its website, Maine Right to Life states the importance of this year’s election.
"Maine voters need to elect pro-life candidates who will defend the sanctity of all human life, born and unborn, until natural death. Please get involved and help pro-life candidates win their elections! Vote for life!"
Related web sites:
Maine Pro-Life Voters’ Guide – https://www.wevoteprolife.com/maine.htm
Maine Right to Life political action committee – https://www.mainerighttolife.com/PAC-ANNOUNCES-ENDORSEMENTS.htm
