Is There a Future for Pro-Life Democrats?
By Braden Hertz
With the win of conservative Democratic governor John Bel Edwards in Louisiana and a moderate win in Kentucky, we have seen a revival of pro-life Democrats, especially in the southern states. For many pro-life Democrats, the primary focus at the moment seems to be putting up a candidate that can beat Donald Trump. The support for the impeachment of the president proves a point: that democrats are united. This should be one of the arguments of the party, that even with policy differences, they can come together to protect the Constitution. Governor John Bel Edwards of Louisiana ran against a Trump-supporting businessman named Eddie Rispone. John Bel Edwards’ views on fiscal issues are liberal, giving him heavy support from the working class of Louisiana. Of course, as Louisiana is a Trump-loving state, Eddie Ripsone got heavy support from the president. President Trump went to rallies multiple times before the election. Bel Edwards’ election was proof that a pro-life, conservative Democrat can win in a southern Republican state.
President Trump’s attacks on John Bel Edwards boil down to an attack on his character and his family, as they agree on the substance of social policy. They have the same views about guns, abortion, and their belief on traditional marriage. These attacks are a fundamental part of the president’s strategy. As the Democratic party continues to move farther to the left, former representatives in the House have come out against this move within the party. One of the previously-outspoken pro-life democrats was Representative Tim Roemer from South Bend, Indiana. Tim Roemer voted against federal funding for Planned Parenthood. This position has now become extremely uncommon with the parties’ shift to the left. There are far more pro-life Democrats in southern state legislatures than federally, and this is because they represent religious communities that are looking for Medicare expansion.
With this resurgence in fiscally liberal and socially conservative democrats, we can almost be certain that there will be a further increase in the South and Midwest of pro-life Democrats.
