Buehler Again Tries to Hide Right-Wing Views and Mislead Voters

PORTLAND, Oregon, April 27 -- The Oregon Democratic Party issued the following news release:

Just days after Oregon Public Broadcasting caught Knute Buehler siding with anti-choice extremists, a recent mail piece to voters in the Independent Party of Oregon primary boasts of his supposed pro-choice position.

In a mail piece hitting mailboxes across the state Knute Buehler describes himself as "compassionate, pro-choice."

However when recently asked about Initiative Petition 1 -- a proposal that would ban public funding for safe, legal abortion -- he said "he wasn't familiar with a proposed initiative that would prohibit state funding of abortion for low-income women. But he said he opposed state funding except in cases where it is "medically necessary.""

"Denying women access to the full range of reproductive health options is hardly what I'd call 'compassionate,'" said Jeanne Atkins, Chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon. "Buehler is trying to have it both ways, but that's not how being pro-choice works. Buehler is misrepresenting his position on choice to appeal to Independent Party voters and trying to skirt the issue to appease Republican voters."

Not surprisingly, a separate mail piece sent to Republican primary voters this week makes no mention of the "compassionate, pro-choice" candidate reflected in Buehler's mail piece targeting voters in the Independent Party of Oregon primary.

The facts are clear: Buehler's Record demonstrates he's anything but "compassionate, pro-choice."

* He voted against funding the Oregon Health Plan, then campaigned against Measure 101 threatening to deny thousands of Oregonians access to affordable health care.

* He voted against Reproductive Health Equity Act and sides with right-wing extremists to ban public funding on abortion, threatening access to reproductive health to thousands of Oregonians.

* In 2015, Knute Buehler voted against legislation to ensure patient privacy in insurance communications. Without these protections, some women cannot seek the healthcare they need -- especially around reproductive health -- for fear of someone else receiving their medical information.

* When asked why he wasn't defending Planned Parenthood in the face of relentless federal attacks - including the health center in his own legislative district - Knute Buehler dodged responsibility.

* In 2014, Knute Buehler met with and earned the "recommendation" of Oregon Right To Life, which means he supports "the majority" of their priorities. This radical organization is determined to restrict birth control and to outlaw all abortion, even in cases of rape and incest.

"While right-wing extremists are mounting the most vicious attacks on reproductive rights ever, Knute Buehler is playing partisan political games with women's lives," said Laurel Swerdlow, Interim Executive Director of Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon. "He voted along party lines against safeguarding the right to safe, legal abortion in Oregon. That's not independent, and that's not pro-choice. It's clear that Knute Buehler cannot be trusted to protect women's health and rights."