Anti-abortion group claims mail pieces misleading in 5th District primary
The head of Oklahomans for Life said Wednesday that the anti-abortion group had not endorsed a candidate in the 5th Congressional District race, contrary to statements made in direct mail pieces for one of the Republicans.
Tony L au in ger, of Tulsa, said residents in the district have received mailings making false claims that Oklahomans for Life had endorsed state Sen. Stephanie B ice, an Oklahoma City Republican, in the crowded field of GOP candidates.
“Oklahomans For Life has not endorsed anyone in the 5th Congressional District Republican Primary,” Lauinger said. “Any claim to the contr a ry is false. The most recent
mail piece says Stephanie B ice has been ' Endorsed & Rated 100% Pro-Life by Oklahomans For Life, Inc.' Neither half of that assertion is correct.”
Only one of the mail pieces cited by Lauinger was sent by the Bice campaign. That one states that she is pro-life, and it features the logo of Oklahomans for Life. Lauinger said the use of the name and logo was used without the group's knowledge or consent.
Bice said Wednesday, “I understand Oklahomans for Life wasn't endorsing in this race and wanted to make clear that I am pro-life and have stood with Oklahomans for Life."
The mail piece claimin gB ice was endorsed by Oklahomans for Life and had a 100% voting record was sponsored by the American Jobs and Growth PAC ( political action committee).
Lauinger said Bice has voted for 12 of the 14 bills the group has advocated for during Bice's six years in the Legislature.
B ice is one of nine Republicans vying f or the GOP nomination. The primary is June 30. If a runoff is needed, that will be held on Aug. 25. The winner will face incumbent Rep. Kendra Horn, D-Oklahoma City.
L au in ger said there were “several strongly pro-life candidates in the 5th District Republican Primary.”