Rep. Farr takes legal action against candidate ad

By In the news
In: Measure 37
Wednesday October 25, 2006

Below is a press release from Majority 2006, describing false campaign attack ads against State Representative Debi Farr

MAJORITY 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Nick Smith, (503) 540-7725

FALSE MAILER BY EDWARDS SUPPORTERS RESULTS IN LEGAL ACTION

Political mailer against Debi Farr called outright distortion

SALEM — Rep. Debi Farr (R-Eugene) will pursue legal action tomorrow against Planned Parenthood PAC over a mailing sent to voters last week in support of the Chris Edwards campaign. In the mailing, Edwards’ supporters falsely claimed that Rep. Farr opposed abortion in cases of rape and incest.

“Throughout her legislative career, Rep. Debi Farr has supported a woman’s right to choose in cases of rape and incest and where a mother’s life is threatened,” said Nick Smith, Majority 2006 communications director. “Planned Parenthood PAC and Chris Edwards have been distorting Rep. Farr’s record. She is pursuing legal action to seek fairness and accountability for this latest deception.”

The mailer, sponsored by Planned Parenthood PAC in support of Edwards, cites the Oregon Family Council’s 2004 Voter’s Guide as proof of Rep. Farr’s position. The Oregon Family Council disputes the interpretation, insisting that for over 25 years it has always assumed the exception of rape, incest and death of the mother for all candidates unless they’re told otherwise.

“Debi Farr’s position on abortion has always had the exception of rape, incest and health of the mother,” said Nick Graham, Oregon Family Council communications director. “All of the current and past information we have on Debi Farr represents that position. If someone would look at any of our information published since the primary, Debi Farr’s position is very clear.”

Rep. Farr will ask a Marion County Circuit Court judge to order Planned Parenthood PAC to mail a clarification with an apology to House District 14 voters. She will also request that the PAC spend as much money on the apology mailing as they spent on the attack mailing.

As recently as Oct. 15, Rep. Farr told the Eugene Register-Guard that abortions should be available in cases of rape and incest.

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