San Diego, CA - In a Q&A published in the San Diego Union-Tribune on September 8, Jordan Marks, candidate for San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk, said that he is supporting Proposition 1, which preserves access to contraceptives and abortions for Californians.
This is a major reversal from previous statements and actions. Marks previously worked as the Executive Director for the conservative advocacy group Young Americans for Freedom and took public stances on the topic of abortion rights.
1) Marks touted anti-abortion rally featuring Michele Bachmann keynote. In a January 2011 Young Americans for Freedom email, Marks invited members to the January 2011 March for Life anti-abortion rally, featuring a keynote address by Rep. Michele Bachmann.
Marks wrote: “Since 1973, grassroots pro life leaders became concerned that January 22, 1974, might come and go without properly memorializing the Supreme Court’s infamous abortion decisions and without petitioning Congress for redress... On January 22, 1974, the first March for Life was held on the West Steps of the Capitol. An estimated 20,000 committed pro life Americans rallied that day on behalf of our preborn brothers and sisters... YAF will be among the hundreds of thousands marching for life, will you? If you can’t be there today consider sponsoring one of our students gas tanks so we can continue to bring in as many young activists as possible to stand up in Washington DC for life! We are freedom and FREEDOM = LIFE!”
2) Marks co-signed Conservative Action Project memo opposing Elena Kagan’s Supreme Court nomination with far-right figures like Larry Pratt, Gary Bauer, and Tony Perkins. A July 2010 memo issued by the Conservative Action Project opposing Kagan’s nomination listed Marks as a participant alongside several far-right figures, including Larry Pratt of Gun Owners for America, Gary Bauer of American Values, and Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council. Among other claims, the memo alleged Kagan “condoned Shariah law,” “worked to undermine the individual right to bear arms,” had a “radical pro-abortion record,” and would “invent a right to same sex marriage.”
3) Marks led a protest against Elena Kagan’s nomination. In 2010 before Kagan’s nomination, Marks organized a protest as Executive Director of Young Americans for Freedom where he was joined by representatives of other conservative youth groups, such as Young Conservatives Coalition and Students for Life of America, to support the protest. At one point in the event, Marks held a sign that said Kagan was “DEADLY FOR PREBORN PEOPLE!”
“Jordan Marks record of extremism and commitment to fighting against the right to choose is clear,” said Barbara Bry. I applaud that Jordan publicly changed his stance to be more supportive of reproductive healthcare rights two months before an important election. I ask, is he making a strategic political calculation or has he reflected on his core beliefs about the importance of access to reproductive healthcare?”
Bry has consistently championed the right to choose. She served on the board of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, and she has been endorsed by the Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest. She also started Run Women Run, which supports qualified San Diego pro-choice women running for office.
“Barbara Bry has been a fierce and consistent advocate for healthcare and reproductive rights,” said Anita Busquets, a former board member of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest. “Her activism for this cause has deep roots. I am confident that she will continue to fight and organize for reproductive healthcare rights.”
“I have known Barbara Bry for more than 30 years and worked with her when she was starting Athena San Diego and Run Women Run. I always have been impressed with her ability to identify a need, develop and then implement it effectively and efficiently. She has been relentless, consistent and reliable in her support for reproductive healthcare rights,” said Abby Silverman Weiss, a former board member of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest.
Barbara Bry also pledged to ensure that nonprofit healthcare clinics that own their property and offer abortions are able to maintain their tax-exempt status from property taxes.
For more information, contact Derek Humphrey, (951) 805-4167, [email protected]
