In one of the first endorsements for former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum following this weekend’s meeting of evangelical and social conservative leaders that had them supporting his campaign, the head of a pro-life women’s group has backed the GOP presidential hopeful.
Penny Nance, President and CEO of Concerned Women for America, issued an endorsement for Santorum in her personal capacity, not speaking on behalf of the organization that represents hundreds of thousands of pro-life women.
“I am excited to personally endorse Rick Santorum for President of the United States,” Nance said in a statement LifeNews received. “Rick has been a champion for faith, family and freedom for nearly two decades. When a leader was needed on Capitol Hill, we always knew we could go to Rick Santorum to ensure that conservative values were advanced.”
“Rick led the fight to end partial birth abortion, reform welfare, and fight Radical Islam. I have no doubt that the Santorum Administration will continue the fight for conservatism and our founding principles. I am proud to stand with Rick, and I look forward to working with him and his campaign to defeat President Obama,” Nance added.
Santorum said he appreciated having the backing of the pro-life leader.
Santorum said: “Penny has been a true leader for conservatism – fighting for our children, our families, and our founding values. Penny’s endorsement is yet another sign that national conservative leaders are coalescing behind our campaign and our positive message of strong conservative values. Leaders like Penny are recognizing we need a bold contrast with President Obama, not pale pastels that do not differentiate ourselves from the Obama agenda. I am excited to work with Penny to make those bold contrasts and defeat President Obama.”
The announcement of the endorsement came shortly after an announcement that Abby Johnson, the former head of a Planned Parenthood abortion center, who became pro-life, is supporting Santorum for the Republican nomination. Nance formerly volunteered with Birth Mothers, a non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the physical needs of women in crisis pregnancies. She is a graduate of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Nance most recently served as President of Nance and Associates and as Special Advisor for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), where she advised the Chairman and the Commissioners on media and social issues.
Before joining the FCC, Nance was founder and President of the Kids First Coalition, a non-profit organization focused on educating Capitol Hill, the media, and the public on a variety of issues related to children. Prior to founding Kids First Coalition, Nance worked for five years as Legislative Director for Concerned Women for America. She has also consulted for other non-profit organizations including Prison Fellowship Ministries and the Center for Reclaiming America. She served on the Capitol Hill Staff of Congressman Pat Swindall (R-Georgia).
Nance has served on Concerned Women for America’s national board of directors and the Virginia board of Bethany Christian Services, one of the nation’s biggest adopt agencies. Nance formerly volunteered with Birth Mothers, a non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the physical needs of women in crisis pregnancies. She is a graduate of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
