Morristown Dem. Chair Declines Calls To Step Down Over Anti-Abortion Views

MORRISTOWN, NJ — With the issues of abortion and reproductive rights before the U.S. Supreme Court, a battleground within local Democratic powers has formed. The Morris County Democratic Committee called for Aaron "A.J." Oliver, Morristown's party chair, to step down because of his anti-abortion views.

Oliver, however, told Patch he will stand his ground and retain the position. But county Democratic committee leadership says Oliver's stance contradicts the party's values.

“We condemn and do not stand by or support the recent activism of Aaron Oliver," said Robin Gurin, vice-chair of the county Democratic committee. "Voters cannot have a chair who disregards the autonomy of women. This does not represent who we are, and therefore, he must step down immediately."

Oliver ran unsuccessfully this year for Morris County commissioner. Advocacy group NJ 11th for Change and the Madison Democratic Committee were among the organizations that rescinded their endorsements for Oliver after learning his anti-abortion views.

The groups claim Oliver concealed his endorsement by and support of Democrats for Life of America — a group that seeks to get anti-abortion Democrats elected.

But Oliver says the Democratic Party has room for his views.

"National leaders have said time and time again that there is room in the party for pro-life Democrats," Oliver told Patch via email. "Those who express the view and advocate for a consistent Whole Life ethic should not have to be continually marginalized and silenced by a party that has led the way for marginalized groups to be represented and included."

The Democratic Party platform "unequivocally" supports access to reproductive-health services, "including safe and legal abortion." But some party leaders said that a Democrat can be pro-life, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a 2017 "Meet the Press" interview.

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which the U.S. Supreme Court heard Dec. 1, once again placed reproductive rights in the national forefront. The case deals with the constitutionality of a 2018 Mississippi law that bans abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. A decision is expected at the end of the 2021-22 term.

With reproductive rights in peril, some states have moved to strengthen them. The Morris County Democratic Committee expressed support for New Jersey's Reproductive Freedom Act, which explicitly ensures all New Jerseyans autonomy when it comes to birth control and pregnancy-related care, while also reducing financial barriers.

“We are in a perilous time," Gurin said. "As one of the leading progressive states in the nation, New Jersey can set an example by standing up to protect and expand equitable abortion and contraception access and shut down assaults on our rights.”

Oliver pointed to the Democratic Party's successes in Morristown, where its three at-large Town Council candidates won by nearly 3-to-1 margins over their independent challengers in November. Mayor Tim Dougherty, a Democrat, ran unopposed in the General Election.

"The mission statement of the Morristown Democrats stresses that we advocate strong economic growth, honest and accountable government, and protecting civil rights and liberties," Oliver said. "I will continue to advocate for these principles as chair."

Thanks for reading. Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter and follow the Morristown Patch Facebook page.