Cincinnati Voters to Decide Congressional Race With Abortion Focus 
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
August 1, 2005
Cincinnati, OH (LifeNews.com) — Voters in Cincinnati will head to the polls Tuesday to decide a special election contest to fill the 6th Congressional seat vacated by Republican Rob Portman, now U.S. Trade Representative. The race between Republican state Rep. Jean Schmidt and Democrat Paul Hackett focused in part on abortion.
While some elected officials are pro-life, few come directly from grassroots organizations. Schmidt was named the president of Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati in March.
Jack Hart, the group’s vice president, expects pro-life voters to head to the polls to strongly support Schmidt and cited her primary victory as evidence they will put her over the top.
"This is another example of the tenacity of the pro-life, pro-family voters, who work to know their candidates and support those who demonstrate strong principles," he said.
The National Right to Life Committee endorsed Schmidt in June.
"The endorsement reflects our appreciation for the strong stand Jean has taken on behalf of those members of our human family who are least able to protect themselves," NRLC political director Carol Tobias said.
Tobias added, “Paul Hackett supports abortion on demand; while Jean Schmidt has been a tireless advocate for our society’s most vulnerable, especially unborn children and medically disabled or dependent persons."
Hackett, an Iraq war veteran, backs abortion and told a radio debate audience, "I want to keep the government out of your bedroom, out of your personal life and out of your gun safe."
Schmidt said there is a clear difference between the two.
"You know I’m pro-life," Schmidt responded. "There is a clear difference between my opponent and myself on moral issues."
Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Enquirer on Sunday endorsed Schmidt over Hackett.
In a Sunday editorial, the paper said Hackett “is more in tune with the views of the district’s residents, better understands their needs and is in a better position to help meet them” in a Republican-run Congress.
Portmand compiled a pro-life voting record during his term and had a 100% pro-life voting rating from the National Right to Life Committee from 2003-2005.
