Las Vegas Sun

March 18, 2024

Ad campaign paints GOP’s Heck as ‘anti-woman’ candidate

Joe Heck

David Becker / AP

U.S. Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nev., speaks Thursday, June 2, 2016, during a roundtable event in Henderson.

Updated Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016 | 3:58 p.m.

Two organizations that focus on women’s rights, healthcare and access to abortions are launching a six-figure joint ad campaign today targeting Republican U.S. Senate candidate Joe Heck.

The independent expenditure arms of Planned Parenthood and the pro-abortion rights group EMILY’s List plan to spend more than $500,000 on the ad campaign, which will highlight Heck’s vote in Congress to stop funding Planned Parenthood.

EMILY’s List is launching a mail campaign targeting 70,000 Nevadans, while Planned Parenthood Votes will target 300,000 Nevadans with a digital ad buy.

The two groups are focusing on Nevada with the goal of electing those they believe will champion women’s health up and down the ticket.

Both have endorsed Heck’s Democratic opponent, former state Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, in her bid for the Senate seat and are backing Hillary Clinton for president.

The two organizations are seeking to characterize Heck as an “anti-woman” candidate and “bad for Nevada women.” It’s an accusation Heck has faced in previous campaigns, including his state Senate and congressional races.

Heck has been consistently anti-abortion, asserting no taxpayer funds should be used for abortions except in the case of rape, incest or if the mother’s life is in danger. Heck also has said federal funds going to Planned Parenthood should be diverted to community health centers.

Heck spokesman Brian Baluta called women’s health care a “vital priority” for the congressman, noting that, as an emergency room doctor, Heck has treated women who were victims of rape, sexual assault and domestic violence.

Baluta said Heck’s proposal to move federal funding from Planned Parenthood to community health centers would improve health care for Nevada women.

Both organizations are also focusing on down-ballot races in Nevada.

EMILY’s List has endorsed local community leader Jacky Rosen in her congressional race in Nevada’s 3rd District against Republican businessman Danny Tarkanian. The group has also endorsed several pro-abortion rights Democratic women who are running for the state Legislature as part of its nationwide, $1 million “Focus 2020” effort.

At the same time, Planned Parenthood Votes is running a field campaign in Clark and Washoe counties, reaching out to women, young people and Latino voters through canvassing, phone banking and other grassroots organizing efforts. The organization plans to knock 140,000 doors and make 62,000 phone calls through its volunteer and paid canvassing program.

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