OP Ed: Manchester DTC Asks Candidate To 'Come Clean' On Women's Rights

MANCHESTER, CT — The following is an opinion piece by the Manchester Democratic Town Committee:

Today, Manchester DTC Chair Mike Pohl and Glastonbury DTC Co-Chairs Julie Thompson and Susan Karp called on Donna Meier to explain her inconsistent past statements on a woman's right to choose and Connecticut's abortion laws.

On several occasions throughout the campaign, Meier has attempted to claim she supports a woman's right to an abortion in Connecticut. On October 28, the Journal Inquirer reported "Meier has regularly denied that she ever voiced anti-abortion sentiments." and that "She said she is not against abortion." On October 11, the Journal Inquirer reported "Meier said she is pro-choice but made clear that she considers that to include more than the right to an abortion." At the TALK forum on October 10, Meier said she was "pro-choices" and " was not looking to change anything" about Connecticut's abortion law.

However, Meier's emails to Representative Jason Doucette - obtained by Mr. Pohl through a Freedom of Information request - tell a completely different story. On March 31, 2022, Meier wrote to Doucette and said "[Abortion] is wrong. Abortion is killing. Our Constitution should not create or sustain a right to lethal violence."Other emails sent on the same day voice Meier's opposition to Connecticut legislation protecting a women's right to abortion in Connecticut after Row v. Wade was overturned saying the legislation was "dangerous and harmful" and that "it is not the role of the State of Connecticut to interfere in the abortion laws of other states." The latter statement is a reference to Connecticut's new safe harbor law protecting women and doctors coming from states with abortion bans like Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.

"It appears Donna Meier actually believes abortion "is wrong" and "abortion is killing" and therefore it looks like she has lied to the voters of Manchester and Glastonbury about her true position on abortion" said Mike Pohl. "The voters deserve to know her true thoughts on abortion and deserve a State Representive who, knowing her true beliefs will be unpopular, doesn't try to mislead the voters just to get elected."

"After Roe v. Wade was overturned, a woman's right to choose is now a matter of state law and is very much on the ballot this year and is important to the voters of Glastonbury." said Julie Thompson. " Donna has consistently avoided a forthright response to the question of being pro choice and supportive of women's rights."

"It is disappointing to know that Donna does not vocally support a woman’s right to choose and even more disappointing to learn that she has not been clear or consistent with the voters." said Susan Karp.

"Evidently Donna Meier supports the draconian abortion laws of places like Texas and Oklahoma" said Pohl, "and she believes that women who come to Connecticut for perfectly legal reproductive health care should be prosecuted in their home states - that is just shameful. It is also disheartening to learn that Donna Meier believes a constitutional right to an abortion, which existed in Roe v. Wade for 50 years, is actually "a right to lethal violence."

Donna Meier is the Republican candidate on the November 8 ballot against incumbent Democrat Jason Doucette, who is also cross-endorsed this year by the Independent Party of Connecticut and the Connecticut Working Families Party.

____

The opinions expressed are that of the Manchester DTC and not Patch.