Knute Buehler: The more you know, the less you trust him

Knute Buehler: The more you know, the less you trust him
Buehler’s record on choice speaks for itself (even if he won’t): He sides with Oregon Right to Life over AARP and Planned Parenthood

PORTLAND — In Washington, D.C., Brett Kavanaugh is under scrutiny as President Donald Trump’s pick for the Supreme Court, imperiling Roe v. Wade, and here in Oregon Knute Buehler, who voted against abortion access in the legislature, wants to be governor.

It’s 2018 and women’s rights are under attack. With attacks on abortion on the ballot, and Buehler running a desperate campaign to hide his voting record, the fall vote is critical.

“Buehler has consistently said one thing and done another,” said Jeanne Atkins, Chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon. “In the legislature, he sided with Oregon Right to Life instead of Planned Parenthood and the AARP.”

Despite Buehler’s effort to tell Oregonians he’s pro-choice because he wants to win votes, his record speaks for itself:

• Buehler voted NO on HB 3391, the Reproductive Health Equity Act, siding with extreme, anti-choice organizationOregon Right to Life over Planned Parenthood, health professionals and equity advocates. The bill guarantees access to critical healthcare, including contraception, cancer screenings, postpartum care, and abortion, for all women in Oregon, regardless where they live, their income, or their immigration status. Governor Kate Brown signed the law in 2017 after pushing it through the legislature. Buehler said the bill would turn Oregon into a “magnet state” for abortion.

• Buehler voted NO on HB 4135, to update Oregon’s law regarding advance directives. Advance directives allow people to make their wishes known if they are unable to make or communicate about health care decisions. The bill guaranteed that advance directive forms will be regularly reviewed, and that any changes to the form must be approved by the Legislature. Buehler again sided with Oregon Right to Life to oppose the bill, voting against AARP, health professionals, and disability advocates.

• According to the Register-Guard, Buehler “favors marginal restrictions that pro-lifers would never get from [Governor] Brown.”  

When speaking to conservatives, Buehler uses Oregon Right to Life Talking points, like when he told Lars Larson, “We need to convince people in their hearts and minds that abortion is the wrong option.” Compare that to Oregon Right to Life’s call to recruit volunteers: “Oregon Right to Life needs your help with our pro-life educational displays at county fairs around the state. Please join this educational effort aimed at changing people’s hearts and minds about abortion and other life issues by volunteering at a fair booth in your community.”

“The more Oregonians learn about Knute Buehler, the less they trust him,” said Atkins. “All you have to do is look up his votes.”

Last week the Brown campaign released a new television ad highlighting Buehler’s record and the reaction Oregon women are having to it: