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Pro-choice advocate to head up Hoeffel’s outreach to women

Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel’s gubernatorial campaign said Friday that the former president of the country’s leading abortion rights advocacy group would be heading up its “Women for Hoeffel” initiative.

Kate Michelman, who led NARAL Pro-Choice America for almost 20 years, was a key figure in building the organization’s political profile. She will be on hand when Hoeffel, a Democrat, formally declares his candidacy in a series of kick-off events this week. Expected to be underfunded in the four-way primary, garnering support—both financial and organizational—from women’s groups will be key for Hoeffel, who has worked to position himself as the only ardently pro-choice candidate in the race.

The announcement of Michelman’s role on the campaign was timed to coincide with the anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that cleared the way for expanded abortion rights.

“When I am Governor there will be no more staunch defender of Roe v Wade,” Hoeffel said in a statement. “Pennsylvania is one of the leading states in restricting reproductive rights, and women need a leader in Harrisburg that will fight for their rights.”

January 23, 2010 at 9:00 am

--Dan Hirschhorn

Tags: Joe Hoeffel

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