Republicans for Choice (RFC) is a pro-abortion rights PAC that seeks to mobilize pro-abortion Republicans across the U.S. and advocates for pro-abortion policies in the GOP. RFC recruits pro-abortion candidates and supports pro-abortion incumbents for both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. 1
Activities
Republicans for Choice claims that the core values of the Republican Party, which include limited government, support a woman’s right to have an abortion. RFC further claims that surveys among Republican voters show support for a woman’s right to have an abortion. RFC advocates for keeping the government out of the issue of abortion while still supporting sanctity of life. 1
Republicans for Choice opposes a proposed Personhood Amendment, which it called a “legislative abomination,” and continues to advocate against other GOP-backed state and federal initiatives that would increase restrictions on abortion. To do this, RFC recruits and encourages pro-abortion Republicans to run for office, participates in Republican events intending to reform the GOP’s abortion platform, and provides support for pro-abortion incumbent candidates, especially as it regards harassment and discrimination within the Republican Party. 1
Republicans for Choice advocates for policies that would ultimately make abortions unnecessary. RFC claims that if Republican Party wanted to reduce the number of abortions in the U.S., it would change the culture and support programs that effectively reduce abortion. RFC further claims that the GOP’s past efforts to limit abortion, such as the proposed Human Life Amendment, would have also limited most forms of contraception. 2
Spending
Republicans for Choice prioritizes mobilizing pro-abortion Republicans via direct mail, which accounts for the majority of its spending. Only about ten percent of RFC’s fundraising is spent to support political campaigns. 3
In 2008, RFC contributed $1,000 to the campaign of then-U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL). 4
In 2006, RFC contributed $1,000 each to campaigns of then-U.S. Rep. Nancy L. Johnson (R-CT) and then-U.S. Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-OH). 5
In 2004, RFC contributed over $36,000 to the campaigns of Republican candidates for both U.S. House and U.S. Senate. U.S. House candidates included Sue Kelly (R-NY), Rob Simmons (R-CT), Kevin Raye (R-ME), Judy Biggert (R-IL), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Deborah Pryce (R-OH), John E. Sweeney (R-NY), Charles Bass (R-NH), Jeb Bradley (R-NH), Melissa Brown (R-PA), Jennifer Dunn (R-WA), Mark Foley (R-FL), Amo Houghton (R-NY), Nancy L. Johnson (R-CT), and Warren Redlich (R-NY). U.S. Senate candidates included then-Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), then-Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO), then-Rep. Johnny Isakson (R-GA); Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK); and candidate Toni C. Casey (R-CA). 6
In 2002, RFC contributed to the campaigns of U.S. House candidates Kevin Raye (R-ME), Connie Morella (R-MD), John Charles Keegan (R-AZ), Melissa Brown (R-PA), Ginny Brown-Waite (R-FL), Deborah Pryce (R-OH), Adam Taff (R-KS), and Nancy L. Johnson (R-CT). 7
In 2000, RFC contributed over $25,000 to the campaigns of Republican candidates for both U.S. House and U.S. Senate. U.S. House candidates included Johnny Isakson (R-GA), James F. Cunneen (R-CA), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Jane A. Amero (R-ME), Stewart Greenleaf (R-PA), Jim Kolbe (R-AZ), Steven T. Kuykendall (R-CA), Mark Nielsen (R-CT), Marge Roukema (R-NJ), William E. Sublette (R-FL), and Dick Zimmer (R-NJ). U.S. Senate candidates included James M. Jeffords (then R-VT), Bob Franks (R-NJ), and Lincoln Chafee (then R-RI). 8
People
Ann Stone is the founder and chair of Republicans for Choice. She is a self-made direct-mail millionaire and the former wife of political consultant Roger Stone. 3
Funding
Republicans for Choice is primarily funded by donations from individuals that are reported to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The largest donations were given between January 1995 and December 1996, a total of over $2.4 million. 9
References
- “About Us.” Republicans for Choice. Archived from the original January 30, 2017. Accessed November 16, 2023. http://web.archive.org/web/20170130034717/http://www.republicansforchoice.com/about-us.html.
- “A Message From Ann Stone, RFC Chair.” Republicans for Choice. Archived from the original January 30, 2017. Accessed November 16, 2023. http://web.archive.org/web/20170130110022/http://www.republicansforchoice.com/Message.html.
- Sherrill, Martha. “The GOP’s Abortion-Rights Upstart.” The Washington Post, April 4, 1992. Accessed November 19, 2023. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1992/04/04/the-gops-abortion-rights-upstart/a697aee6-7d6a-47bf-88a2-d3582a8f78df/.
- “Republicans for Choice PAC Contributions to Federal Candidates 2008.” OpenSecrets. Accessed November 19, 2023. https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/republicans-for-choice/C00241083/candidate-recipients/2008.
- “Republicans for Choice PAC Contributions to Federal Candidates 2006.” OpenSecrets. Accessed November 19, 2023. https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/republicans-for-choice/C00241083/candidate-recipients/2006.
- “Republicans for Choice PAC Contributions to Federal Candidates 2004.” OpenSecrets. Accessed November 19, 2023. https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/republicans-for-choice/C00241083/candidate-recipients/2004.
- “Republicans for Choice PAC Contributions to Federal Candidates 2002.” OpenSecrets. Accessed November 19, 2023. https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/republicans-for-choice/C00241083/candidate-recipients/2002.
- “Republicans for Choice PAC Contributions to Federal Candidates 2000.” OpenSecrets. Accessed November 19, 2023. https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/republicans-for-choice/C00241083/candidate-recipients/2000.
- “Republicans for Choice: Raising 1995-1996.” Federal Election Commission. Accessed November 19, 2023. https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00241083/?tab=raising&cycle=1996.