Sparks endorsed by TN RTL for House Seat in 49th District

NASHVILLE — The state’s oldest and largest pro-life organization has announced its official endorsement of Mike Sparks for the Tennessee House of Representatives 49th District seat.

"With the election of Sparks, constituents in this district have a unique opportunity to add a pro-life vote to the makeup of the Tennessee state House," Tennessee Right to Life President Brian Harris said in the news release.

"Mike represents the ideals of our movement, and we know that he will be an outstanding advocate for the protection of life in our state."

Election of pro-life leaders is all the more critical considering continuing debate on SJR 127, a proposed constitutional amendment resolution calling for a public vote on abortion regulation in Tennessee. The resolution has passed the House and the Senate, but must be approved again next session by a “super majority” requiring the votes of 66 members of the Tennessee House.

"We are confident that Mike Sparks' vote will always be in support of restoring common sense balance to Tennessee's current policy of abortion on demand," Harris added. "Tennessee Right to Life urges concerned pro-life supporters to work and vote for Sparks' election on November 2."

TN: Primary Endorsements for State Legislature

Go to www.vote4life. for list of endorsed candidates. Primary Endorsements for State Legislature (Nashville)  Following a legislative session marked by passage of Right to Life priorities including amendment resolution SJR 127, the political action committee of the state's leading pro-life organization has announced their endorsements for the upcoming primary elections. "Tennesseans have made great progress in electing demonstrated pro-life leaders to the General Assembly," said Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to life.  "With so much at stake and the fate of unborn children in the balance, we urge every pro-life Tennessean to work and vote for the election of women and men of conscience who understand the value and dignity of every human life," said Harris. In addition to first passage of SJR 127, a resolution to put an amendment before state voters in 2014 which would again make the Tennessee Constitution abortion-neutral, pro-life leadership and majorities in both chambers of the Legislature passed bills requiring the posting of non-coercion law in facilities where abortions are performed, ensuring that first priority in distribution of family planning funds be given to local health departments rather than abortion facilities, and establishing that abortion not be a funded benefit in exchanges to be established as part of the federal health care plan.   Abortion has become an increasingly important matter in state races following a landmark ruling by the Tennessee Supreme Court in 2000 which found a fundamental right to abortion and struck down popularly supported measures such as informed consent and 2 day waiting periods for women considering abortion and other laws regulating the operation of abortion facilities in Tennessee.   "Tennessee is a strongly pro-life state and it is only appropriate that our public policies reflect the views of that majority," Harris said.  "It is a top priority of Tennessee Right to Life to see that the men and women who fill those seats next January are people of principle who will not only vote the right way but who will lead dramatically for the protection of the weak and vulnerable among us." Please visit www.vote4life.org for a list of endorsed candidates.