The head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee canceled a fundraiser for a anti-abortion-rights Democrat who has served in Congress for more than a decade after progressive complaints.
Rep. Sheri Bustos, chairwoman of the DCCC, canceled a $1,000-per-person fundraiser for fellow Illinois Rep. Daniel Lipinski. Lipinski, who opposes abortion, is facing a primary challenge from a progressive pro-abortion Democrat.
Although she didn’t directly say why she is backing out of the event, Bustos released a statement that tied the decision to the controversy surrounding the strict abortion laws being enacted in Republican-led states.
“I’m proud to have a 100 percent pro-choice voting record and I’m deeply alarmed by the rapidly escalating attacks on women’s access to reproductive care in several states,” Bustos said.
Despite the cancellation, Bustos claimed that her party has a “big tent Democratic caucus” and said that “every dollar spent trying to defeat one of our Democratic incumbents is a dollar that we cannot spend defeating Republicans.”
Lipinski’s opponent, Marie Newman, had already attacked Bustos over hosting the event in a May 15 tweet.
“The day after Alabama voted to restrict a woman’s right to choose, it’s shocking the DCCC is fervently supporting a representative who is anti-choice, anti-birth control, and anti-health care for all. Chip in and support a candidate who trusts women,” Newman said.
The day after Alabama voted to restrict a woman’s right to choose, it’s shocking the DCCC is fervently supporting a representative who is anti-choice, anti-birth control, and anti-health care for all. Chip in and support a candidate who trusts women ➡️ https://t.co/Dgxgl6OdxX https://t.co/dSbWTHf6b2
— Marie Newman (@Marie4Congress) May 15, 2019
Newman previously challenged Lipinski in the 2018 primary and lost by 2.4 points.
