Tony Perkins to Lead ‘Pro-Lifers for Cruz’
Last week, on the 43rd anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade opinion, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) penned an op-ed for The Resurgent.
But most of the other Republican presidential candidates wrote op-eds of their own for various publications and online news outlets. So the Texas senator took his advocacy for the sanctity for life to a new level.
Wednesday evening, at a rally attended by hundreds of Iowans, Cruz announced Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, would serve as chair of a new coalition: Pro-Lifers for Cruz. The group, which already has 17,334 members across the U.S., will spread the campaign’s message that “every life matters and should be protected by law.”
“Senator Cruz understands what it means to fight for life,” Perkins said. “Through the countless battles Ted has led on pro-life issues, he has been steadfast and hasn’t forgotten what the people elected him to do. There is an unmistakable power and conviction when he speaks for those who do not have a voice that resonates with the pro-life community. I am proud to offer my support to Ted Cruz in this election, someone we can trust to do what he says he is going to do.”
“I am encouraged by the incredible passion and support seen in these pro-life leaders who have coalesced behind our shared cause,” said Cruz. “Every single national co-chair in this coalition has led the charge for the pro-life cause and is a true inspiration. Without life, we have no liberty. The right to life is a pillar of our country and a God-given right that we must fight to protect. I am encouraged by the large number of people who have already signed up to take on this fight with me and look forward to what this coalition will be able to achieve under the incredible leadership of the Pro-Lifers for Cruz Coalition.”
The coalition’s co-chairs will include former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli; Carol Everett, founder and president of Heidi Group and former abortion clinic owner; Jewels Green, former abortion clinic worker; Rebecca Hagelin, best-selling author and pro-life speaker; abortion survivor Gianna Jessen; Jason Jones, award-winning filmmaker and pro-life activist; South Carolina State Rep. Wendy Nanney; Troy Newman, president of Operation Rescue; Iowa Right to Life Board Member Loras Schulte; and Dave Sterrett, pro-life activist and author.
“There are so many issues where a reliable pro-life president is critical, there’s not enough time to discuss them during one campaign,” Cuccinelli said. “But I trust Ted to appoint good judges, I trust Ted to put the United Nations in its place and to protect life internationally, and I trust Ted to be pro-life when it comes to the federal budget. Planned Parenthood will be defunded under a President Cruz. Our government will once again be supportive of life, instead of looking for ways to fund abortion.”
