Antiabortion Rep. Langevin Faces Latest Primary Challenge From Abortion-Rights Supporter

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 24 Sep 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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For the second time in four years, Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.) -- an abortion-rights opponent who has supported some moderate reproductive health bills -- is facing a Democratic primary challenge from a female candidate who supports abortion rights, Politico reports. In the 2006 primary, Langevin faced "credible opposition" from Brown University political scientist Jennifer Lawless, Politico reports. Lawless made abortion rights a central issue in her campaign and raised more than $358,000, largely through national women's and abortion-rights groups. Although Langevin defeated Lawless 62% to 38%, the race "signaled considerable unease with him on the left despite his down-the-line Democratic voting record," Politico reports.

Unlike Lawless, current challenger state Rep. Elizabeth Dennigan has not focused on abortion in her campaign. Dennigan said that abortion rights "certainly is one of the areas where we're distinguished" but that the economy is her central concern. According to Darrell West, a vice president at the Brookings Institution and former head of Brown University's political science department, "For someone to do well [in Rhode Island], they're going to have to go beyond abortion," especially given the recession and a state unemployment rate of more than 12%. "You're not going to beat an incumbent based on social issues," he said. However, according to Politico, "without the abortion arrow in her quiver, it's not entirely clear how Dennigan can make the case for ousting" the popular Langevin in a Democratic primary. According to Brown University pollster Marion Orr, the five-term incumbent has had steady approval ratings of 50% or higher over the years.

National groups EMILY's List, the National Organization for Women, NARAL Pro-Choice America and Feminist Majority have not yet taken a position on Dennigan. Eleanor Smeal, president of Feminist Majority, said, "I think, basically, more people would want to meet her and see how things are," adding, "What we do know about her is that she's really strong on women's issues." Smeal also noted that Langevin has "moderated his position a little bit," showing support for family planning and the Prevention First Act. Most recently, he signed onto a letter with four other Democrats urging compromise on potentially contentious abortion provisions in the House health reform bill (HR 3200) (Mason, Politico, 9/22).

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