Terri Schiavo’s Estranged Husband Endorses Virginia Governor Candidate 
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
November 3, 2005
Richmond, VA (LifeNews.com) — He lives in Florida, but Terri Schiavo’s estranged husband, the man who won approval from the courts to euthanize her last spring, has endorsed a candidate for governor in Virginia. Michael Schiavo wants Virginia residents to back Democrat Tim Kaine over Republican Jerry Kilgore next week.
Schiavo said he based his endorsement not on a meeting with either candidate. Instead, he made it based upon hearing their responses to a question in an October debate about whether they would intervene in familial disputes about lifesaving medical treatment, such as the legal battle he fought against Terri’s family.
"I have seen firsthand what can happen when a governor disagrees with a single citizen," Schiavo said in a statement distributed by a Democratic political consulting firm.
"In Florida, Gov. Jeb Bush abused the power of his office in an attempt to replace my personal family decisions with his own opinions and political grandstanding," he added.
Governor Bush signed Terri’s Law approved by the state legislature to authorize him to ask doctors to reinsert Terri’s feeding tube and prevent the euthanasia death.
During the debate, Kilgore, who enjoys the backing of pro-life groups, said he would not "agree to the forced starvation of any individual if that individual hasn’t had a say."
"I don’t think governors should use their PR grandstanding to intervene in these cases," Kaine replied, according to an AP report. He said he supports the courts ending disputes like the one involving Terri.
Derek Newton, manager of the Miami-based November Group that released the statement told the Associated Press Michael wanted it released because he intends to get involved in politics.
"Michael issued the statement because he is interested in getting more involved in the political process," Newton said.
Neither campaign responded to requests for comment.
