All three of Wisconsin’s major pro-life groups have now endorsed state Rep. André Jacque (R-De Pere) in the special election in Wisconsin Senate District 1.
Through their political action committees, the three organizations, Wisconsin Right to Life, Pro-Life Wisconsin and Wisconsin Family Action, all chose Jacque over political newcomer Alex Renard in the GOP primary on May 15. The winner of the Republican primary will face Caleb Frostman in the June 12 special election.
The special election in the district became necessary when Governor Scott Walker appointed Frank Lasee to a position in the Walker Administration. Walker had attempted to avoid a special election since the legislature would no longer be in session by the time the vote could be held, but a lawsuit by Democrats forced the election to be called.
In its endorsement of Jacque, Pro-Life Wisconsin called Jacque “a model pro-life legislator” and “a welcome addition to the state Senate.”
“André’s commitment to protect each and every innocent human being from the moment of conception, coupled with his solid voting record on behalf of preborn children, makes him the only candidate for pro-life voters in the upcoming special election,” Pro-Life Wisconsin said in its weekly newsletter.
Wisconsin Family Action PAC Director Julaine Appling described Jacque as, “one of Wisconsin’s most significant pro-life, pro-family champions.”
“During his time in the Assembly, he has consistently championed the rights of the unborn, as well as stood up for the freedom for all Wisconsin citizens, especially for Wisconsin’s best resource, her families,” Appling said. “We are confident that André Jacque as a senator will, in both policy and practice, continue to work to ensure that our families become or remain independent of government and will strengthen and preserve the core values of marriage, family, life and liberty.”
Wisconsin Right to Life did not issue a statement with the endorsement of Jacque, but also did not endorse Renard in the primary.
On Renard’s website, the candidate claims, “I am 100% pro-life. I believe in the dignity, value, and potential of every human life and I believe that we have a moral obligation to defend those who are unable to defend themselves.”
Jacque has been a major advocate of pro-life legislation, including supporting the “Heal Without Harm” package of bills that would eliminate the sale of fetal tissue from abortions but also would provide a way for UW researchers to have access to fetal tissue from miscarriages.
The four organizations in the Heal Without Harm coalition, Pro-Life Wisconsin, Wisconsin Family Action, Wisconsin Right to Life, and the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, have vowed to continue the fight for the legislation.
