For Immediate Release
November 17, 2020
Contact: Molly Smith, President
440-668-4049
DEWINE, HUSTED LOSE SUPPORT OF PRO-LIFE ORGANIZATIONS
Endorsements rescinded in light of lack of diligence
in administrative decisions
CLEVELAND—Showing extreme disappointment in recent ongoing decisions coming from Governor Mike DeWine, a coalition of organizations under the auspices of the Right to Life Action Coalition of Ohio today issued a letter to Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted informing them of the withdrawal of the organization’s Pro Life endorsement which was issued during their 2018 gubernatorial run.
Containing 39 signatories representing 25 diverse organizations which support a culture
of life, the letter points out that the selections of Dr. Amy Acton and then Joan Duwve to lead the Ohio Department of Health, along with decisions coming from that department relative
to re-issuing licenses to abortion providers, has resulted in the Coalition having no choice
but to issue a “Vote of No Confidence” for both DeWine and Husted.
“The lack of foresight and consideration of the backgrounds of both Acton and Duwve” stated Molly Smith, President of the Right to Life Action Coalition of Ohio (RTLACO), “along with the decision to issue a new license to Martin Haskell’s abortion facility right after winning an Ohio Supreme Court case rescinding his license, has caused us to review and remove the Pro Life endorsement our organization made to these politicians.”
“Since the Governor signed the Heartbeat Bill he has been MIA while thousands of children die every month. The Pro Life grassroots members are gravely concerned by the lack of meaningful attention to this human tragedy and have therefore withdrawn their support of Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Husted.” said Linda Theis, President-Elect of the Coalition.
In emphasizing the need for this action, Jeff Barefoot, President of Greater Toledo Right to Life (GTRTL) said “This is the second public withdrawal of Governor DeWine’s Pro Life credentials. In October, Toledo Right to Life rescinded DeWine’s 2015 Champion of Life Award.” Barefoot continued “This is the first time our organization has ever taken such an action.” Barefoot also serves as the Vice President of RTLACO.
Governor DeWine recently publicly announced that he was indeed planning on running for
re-election in 2022, at the same time he introduced former Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation administrator Stephanie McCloud as the newly-nominated Director of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).
"On behalf of the thousands of RTLACO supporters,” said Smith, “we will be carefully watching for a much different direction and focus with Director McCloud than was found with former Director Dr. Acton."
A copy of the letter, issued to DeWine and copied to Husted, can be found here.
