Independent groups to highlight abortion, other issues in Maryland U.S. Senate race

Independent groups plan to emphasize abortion and other issues in television and radio advertisements, fundraising appeals and direct mail campaigns leading up to the Maryland U.S. Senate elections on Nov. 7, the Washington Post reports.

Candidates Michael Steele (R) -- who serves as the state's lieutenant governor and opposes abortion rights -- and Rep. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), who supports abortion rights, "rarely bring up the subject unprompted on the campaign trail," according to the Post (Marimow, Washington Post, 10/22).

Religious groups and abortion opponents plan to spend about $140,000 in the two weeks prior to the election in an attempt to persuade "values voters" to vote for Steele, the AP/WTOP reports.

The Maryland Values Coalition -- a group of religious leaders that oppose abortion rights -- has spent $70,000 on a series of ads aimed at encouraging churchgoing black voters in Baltimore and Prince George's County to "vote for candidates who defend life," the AP/WTOP reports (AP/WTOP, 10/22).

According to Bishop Harry Jackson -- senior pastor of Hope Christian Church in Lanham, Md., and organizer of the campaign -- the ads do not mention Steele by name, but guides handed out in 150 churched that review the candidates' records aim to help voters distinguish the candidates' standpoints (Washington Post, 10/22).

In addition, National Right to Life's political action committee has spent $72,000 supporting Steele's candidacy and plans to air radio commercials in western Maryland and the Eastern Shore on his behalf, the AP/WTOP reports.

Meanwhile, NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland's national affiliate has sent e-mails to abortion rights supporters throughout the state to contribute to Cardin's campaign.

Women's rights advocates, including National Organization for Women President Kim Gandy, on Saturday met in Bethesda to draw attention to Steele's statement that his opinion on Roe v. Wade -- the 1973 case that effectively outlawed state abortion bans -- is "moot," the AP/WTOP reports (AP/WTOP, 10/22).

Independent candidate Kevin Zeese has said that he supports abortion rights but that the issue serves as a "diversion from the major issues of out militaristic foreign policy and an economy that favors the wealthiest while the middle class struggles" (Washington Post, 10/22).