Politics & Government
Edwards Urges Democratic Party To Soften Abortion Stance
Governor signs letter sent from anti-abortion Democrats to national party leaders
By Julie O'Donoghue
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Gov. John Bel Edwards and several other Louisiana Democratic officials who oppose abortion have asked their national party leaders to avoid making the right to abortion a central tenet of the party’s platform.
Edwards was one of over 100 current and former Democratic elected officials from around the country who sent a letter to the Democratic National Committee asking members to soften their stance on abortion. Twelve other Louisiana elected officials also signed the letter — including East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor President Sharon Weston Broome and half the Democrats in the Louisiana Senate.
Find out what's happening in Across Louisianafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Edwards and others asked that the Democratic platform state that Americans have “differing views” on abortion. They also asked the national Democrats not to push Congress to pass a law ensuring abortion access or to allocate tax dollars for abortion. They said such stances make it difficult for Democrats to get elected in conservative areas and swing districts.
“An extreme position on abortions violates our commitment to inclusivity and diversity,” said the letter signed by the officials.
Edwards has never been shy about his antiabortion stance. As a state lawmaker and governor, he has consistently pushed for and supported abortion restrictions.
The following Louisiana state lawmakers also signed the letter: Sen. Katrina Jackson of Monroe, Sen. Regina Barrow of Baton Rouge, Sen. Gary Smith of Norco, Sen. Gerald Boudreaux of Lafayette, Sen. Jay Luneau of Alexandria, Sen. Greg Tarver of Shreveport, Rep. Dustin Miller of Opelousas, Rep. Pat Moore of Monroe, Rep. Francis Thompson of Delhi, Rep. C Travis Johnson of Vidalia, and Rep. Kenny Cox of Natchitoches.
The Louisiana Illuminator is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization driven by its mission to cast light on how decisions are made in Baton Rouge and how they affect the lives of everyday Louisianians, particularly those who are poor or otherwise marginalized.
