U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, the most vulnerable House Democrat in the country, faced criticism this week for a radio ad that describes him as “100 percent pro-life.”
According to Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, the state’s largest pro-life organization, Peterson received a score of 50 percent from the National Right to Life Committee in 2019. Overall, National Right to Life’s scorecard gives Peterson a grade of 73 percent.
“Collin Peterson’s voting record in Congress has become more and more concerning for pro-life Minnesotans in the 7th District,” MCCL legislative associate Austin VanDerHeyden said in a statement. “Last year he voted for a bill that would allow taxpayer dollars to fund abortion-performing-and-promoting groups around the world. His record shows that he doesn’t always vote to protect life.”
In 2019, Peterson voted in favor of an appropriations bill that would have overturned the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy, often referred to by pro-abortion advocates as the “global gag rule,” which was reinstated by President Donald Trump in 2017. The policy prohibits foreign organizations that receive American aid from promoting abortion services or advocating for abortion.
He also voted against a House amendment to protect the conscience rights of pro-life health care workers who refuse to participate in abortions, sterilizations or assisted suicides.
Facing his toughest election in 30 years, Peterson has attempted to portray himself as a moderate Democrat, running ads that tout his support for the Enbridge Line 3 replacement project and his opposition to Trump’s impeachment. According to FiveThirtyEight’s House forecast, Peterson has about a 1 in 4 chance of defeating Republican Michelle Fischbach.
President Trump won Peterson’s district over Hillary Clinton by 30 points in 2016, but Peterson managed to beat Republican Dave Hughes in the 2018 midterms.
“Voters should know what they are getting with Collin Peterson,” said VanDerHeyden. “They are getting someone who doesn’t give the protection of unborn children 100 percent. They are getting someone who wants Nancy Pelosi in charge of the House — even though she kills lifesaving pro-life bills.”