New Jersey Gov Race Heats Up on Abortion, Stem Cell Research 
Email this article
Printer friendly page
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
October 26, 2005
Trenton, NJ (LifeNews.com) — Neither candidate is pro-life when it comes to abortion or embryonic stem cell research, but Republican Doug Forrester and Democrat John Corzine are fighting on the issues of abortion and stem cell research.
Down in the polls and seeking to gain support among Democrats and independent voters, Forrester yesterday touted an endorsement from a pro-abortion Republican group.
The Republican Majority for Choice gave Forrester its support.
"We commend Doug for not being afraid to take a moderate stance on the important social issues in this race," said Jennifer Stockman, RMC’s national co-chairwoman.
Forrester welcomed the support but Corzine’s camp said Forrester isn’t sufficiently pro-abortion because he supports a ban on partial-birth abortions, parental notification and opposes taxpayer funding of abortions.
Ivette Mendez, a spokeswoman for Corzine, scoffed at Forrester’s "so-called endorsement."
"It’s so obvious that Doug has read the polls and he knows he needs support from [pro-abortion voters]," she told the Times newspaper.
Marie Tasy of New Jersey Right to Life said Forrester doesn’t understand that he’s not getting the support of abortion advocates and has lost the support of pro-life advocates because he’s not pro-life. That will defeat his candidacy, she explained.
"Their endorsement sank him last time and he’s playing right into his opponent’s hands," Tasy said. "What he’s doing is alienating the people who might have voted for him."
Meanwhile, Corzine has launched a new television commercial targeting Forrester, who supports embryonic stem cell research but doesn’t want to use taxpayer funds to pay for it.
Corzine’s ad blasts Forrester and features a quadriplegic who worries that Forrester doesn’t "support people like me." The ad drew an angry response from Forrester’s campaign.
"It’s despicable that Jon Corzine is lying about Doug’s position on embryonic stem cell research," Forrester spokeswoman Sherry Sylvester said.
