Some national Democratic organizations have either not recognized pro-life voters in the party, or have used support for abortion as a litmus test for candidates. The 2016 and 2020 Democratic National Committee platforms stated the party's "unequivocal" support for legal abortion for "every woman," and called for taxpayer-funded abortion. The 2020 Democratic National Convention did not allow Democrats for Life to caucus as an official part of the convention.
In 2019, the Democratic Attorneys General Association announced it would only back candidates for office who support legal abortion and who "publicly commit to protecting reproductive rights."
Day has also claimed in the past that her group is not featured on Act Blue, a major online fundraising site for Democratic candidates and groups.
Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.), long recognized as a reliable pro-life vote in the House, said he faced a deluge of outside money that helped unseat him in his 2020 primary. Citing "tremendous headwinds," Lipinski said he "was pilloried in millions of dollars of TV ads and mailers" because of his position on abortion.
Day told CNA that Democrats for Life is working to compile a list of Democrat-aligned public relations and consulting firms willing to work with their candidates.
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"So we started reaching out to firms that we know have worked with Democratic candidates in the past, trying to create this kind of go-to list for candidates, to make it easier for them," Day said.
"If you're running as a pro-life Democrat, you really need the right strategy, and it's important to match people with people who will understand who they are and why they're running."
Day said the move is part of Democrats for Life's push to encourage more pro-life Democrats to run for public office.