Connie Saltonstall Challenges Bart Stupak In Michigan House Primary

Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) will face a primary challenge later this year from former Charlevoix County Commissioner Connie Saltonstall.

On Monday, Saltonstall, a former teacher who lost a state representative race in 2008, announced her intentions to challenge Stupak, who has represented Michigan's First Congressional District since 1993.

Saltonstall has spoken out against Stupak for his anti-abortion views, which have repeatedly obstructed progress on health care reform.

He "has a right to his personal, religious views, but to deprive his constituents of needed health care reform because of those views is reprehensible," Saltonstall said in a statement.

Comments

[gamoonbat]

07:52 AM on 03/12/2010

Go, Connie, Go!

[Figerre]

03:55 PM on 03/11/2010

Where can I donate to Saltonstall? The man is a jerk.

THese one-note Johnnies are also self-centered. If it affected men's health issues - like prostate cancer, ED, or jock itch, they would be pissed as hell. It is just ridicules. I just love all these Right-to-Lifers who focus on the unborn, and ignore the neglected BORN, kids eating out of garbage cans in America, hungry school kids, homeless kids. We don't have enough problems without getting into women's reproductive rights?

How about we license fertile men? They have to pay an extra insurance premium to be fertile. After all, women don't get pregnant on their own without help, whether it is invitro or the 'natural' way. RIDICULES fool!

[badinfluence]

09:27 PM on 03/12/2010

https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/conniesaltonstall

Thanks for asking.

[LemonMeringue]

02:00 PM on 03/11/2010

$11,000 in under 24 hours on Act Blue - go Connie!

http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/24052

[sailor422]

04:05 PM on 03/11/2010

Act Blue is one of the places that gives an address. I sent cash with a note saying where I wanted it to go. I did not want to get on a mailing list.

[WTF44]

01:27 PM on 03/11/2010

Good luck trying to vote him out with someone to the left of his views.

Sure, he may get upset in the Democratic primaries. Not very likely but it is possible. But Saltonstall would have no chance in the November election. That would be giving Republicans the seat.

[Paralogos]

01:52 PM on 03/11/2010

In most cases, I would consider giving that to be cutting off ones nose to spite ones face. In this case, frankly, I'd rather see the Democrats lose the seat than Stupak serve another term. Not only is he trying to force his medieval values onto the women of America, but he's willing to condemn hundreds of thousands (45,000+ a year for who knows how many years) of uninsured Americans to death in order to do so. He is vermin. Worse than a Republican.

[9liberal]

01:54 PM on 03/11/2010

actually, no a republican would do the same thing....so the only answer is moving left of both

[Rickardo7]

10:35 AM on 03/19/2010

Its so amazing that this Detriot Congressman slimy weisel Bart Stupak,has hijacked the entire Democratic Caucas in trying to bring down a the entire health reform bill to a defeat.I'm so glad now that he has got a very serious challenger to take him fown in the next primary in Michigan.Why he is even still a Democrat & even entertained by his own party,is totally beyond me? He should go back to his old job of being a Michigan Police trooper.Bart Stupak is still not answering and deserves to tell his constituents in Michigan,as to who subsidized for his monthly rent,staying at the C-Street Church House in Washington?As he only paid $600.00 per month for accomadation living in Washington DC.We all know since he was a member of the secret C-Street Congregation,that believes that abortion is inhumane & inacceptable.This is what happens when you mix politics with religon.If he so believes in Pro-Life,why not go leave the congress,get ordained & be a religious minister somewhere? The Democratic party should expel him from the party soon as possible.Good ridance! Get rid of Bart Stupak as soon as possible Nancy Polasi from the Caucas ! He has now enjoyed his shameful 15 minutes of fame,he enjoyed getting on the Foxs News Network.Rickardo

[LemonMeringue]

02:01 PM on 03/11/2010

Stupak is a C Streeter.

Exactly how would any Republican be any worse than he is?

[Rickardo7]

11:14 AM on 03/19/2010

We all know that all Politicians that has lived & who are presently living in the secret C-Street house in Washington DC,are all in someway are all shady charactors ! Look at whats happening to Senator Ensign inNevada.Thats all you want to know about people who are connected to the C-Street Church.Who paid and subsidized your monthly rent Bart Stupak? The people in Michigan want to know? He maybe the next C-Street Politician& Congressman to be appearing very soon before the House Ethics Committee.We all want to know who paid & subsidized for his mothly rent staying at the C-Street Church Mr Stupak? Rickardo

[RRanch]

12:52 PM on 03/11/2010

To Connie Saltonstall,

I wish you luck.

[rcruss]

03:23 PM on 03/11/2010

Best of luck Connie...TELL MOVEON TO LET US KNOW WHERE WE CAN SEND CAMPAIGN FUNDS....

[Jimbo23]

03:27 PM on 03/11/2010

Right here my friend! Link: http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/24052

MoveOn is a great force for change but we're moving faster than they are on this one. Don't worry they'll get there!!!

[Carolyn LeBeauf]

12:48 PM on 03/11/2010

And I will donate to her campaign.

[noblechaos]

12:20 PM on 03/11/2010

Bart Stupak is my Congressman. Living in a mostly Republican area, I have supported Stupak since his first campaign.

The fact that he has used abortion as a wedge issue that may derail national health care reform is unacceptable and a disgrace to Northern Michigan. Go Saltonstall 2010!

[9liberal]

12:30 PM on 03/11/2010

That is wonderful news. I tried to call your rep a couple of times, because if he derails healthcare reform, he doesn't just hurt you guys in Michigan, he hurts all of us everywhere.

I tried, with little success, to explain that to his staffers when I called, but they didn't really allow me to get a word in edgewise and then they hung up on me.

Again, if it only effected Michigan, I wouldn't have a right to say anything...but his religious view which holds a zygote to be more important than a living breating human being, hurts us all.

I will donate money to his challenger, and know that many of us are going to support your efforts to get someone else elected.

[noblechaos]

12:52 PM on 03/11/2010

As I told Rep. Stupak's staffer, if Stupak loses to Saltonstall, Saltonstall will most likely lose to the Republican candidate in November. This is an area of pull-the-lever, regardless of the candidate Republicans.

In any case, Stupak's position is angering his otherwise loyal constituents.

[Rickardo7]

11:03 AM on 03/19/2010

Lol,did you hear that now Bart Stupak's crying now on Fox tv,telling them that Nancy Polosi & the entire Democratic Caucas is now ignoring him on the house floor ! Duh,cry me a river ! Wonder if he knows why? I guess he needs a Republican audience on Fox tv to sympathise with him.Very soon we will be seeing him after the next elections,when he is brought down defeated,he can be a full time fox news analyst.Where he can then enjoy his time being on tv all he wants ! Rickardo

[17ladyslippers]

12:00 PM on 03/11/2010

Stop Stupak.

Bart Stupak has absolutely no business - “USING” - Real Health Insurance Reform to dictate to women what decisions they can make about their bodies and their families.

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/webreturn/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.house.gov%2Fstupak

Washington, DC Office:
2268 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
[phone]
[phone] – Fax

Escanaba, MI Office:
902 Ludington St
Escanaba, MI 49829
[phone]
[phone] - Fax
Contact: Ann or Sue
Congressional Aides

[jerryfromcalifornia]

12:48 PM on 03/11/2010

I called and got the fast shuffle.........
I'm part of that Hollywood left and I will incourage all my friends to donate to Saltonstall if he votes against Health Care.
jerry belairca

[Susan Robertson]

01:23 PM on 03/11/2010

Petoskey

Emmet County Building
200 Division St., Suite #178
Petoskey, MI 49770
[phone]
[phone] Fax

Contact: Roger Srigley (Monday - Friday) or Sue (part-time Tuesdays and Thursdays)
Congressional Aides

Alpena

111 E. Chisholm
Alpena, MI 49707
[phone]
[phone] - Fax

Contact: Sheila or John
Congressional Aides

[sharpeningmyclaws]

11:50 AM on 03/11/2010

I thought that liberals were supposed to fight for the rights of everyone? What about people who DON'T want their tax dollars to be given to fund abortions??? You don't consider that there are many people who are NOT republicans OR religious who are AGAINST abortion because it ends a life. Yet you want to FORCE your views on everyone else to support with their tax dollars. You know what they call that.........I've heard people say it about Christians a hundred times..........'hypocrites'. In no way does leaving funded abortions out of the public option TAKE AWAY your 'right to choose'.

[Jimbo23]

11:59 AM on 03/11/2010

Newsflash: There is no public option yet! We're working hard to get enough Democratic support to get in on an amendment under reconciliation but please get your facts straight.

Now to your point about Stupak: actually we want to leave the law as it is right now for Medicare. ABC has debunked Stupak's "interpretation" of the law as written. It will not publicly fund abortions unless the health of the mother is at stake. Denying health care to everyone because you disagree on this point despite the fact that it changes nothing is ridiculous.

[sharpeningmyclaws]

12:10 PM on 03/11/2010

I am in favor of a public option, as well as almost everyone on here, but not if it forces abortion as 'health care'. I don't believe I had any facts skewed--the whole debate is about wanting a public option for those who don't have health care. What is on the table now does NOT do that, and in my opinion is WORSE than not doing anything. Of course, a REAL bill for health care needs to be created.

[JanPoore]

12:59 PM on 03/11/2010

You are very misinformed. There is no taxpayer funding of abortion in this health reform bill or any bill. The current law - The Hyde Amendment - states that there is no federal funding of abortions. Stupak's argument is fatally flawed as he is trying to create new restrictions that will prevent women from using their own money to buy private health insurance that includes abortion coverage if they are receiving ANY money from the government, which by extension would include extended unemployment benefits, income tax mortgage deduction, social security, pension, tax refunds, VA benefits, etc. In short, only rich women with money to pay out of pocket for abortions would be able to do so.

[Jimbo23]

11:49 AM on 03/11/2010

Her ActBlue page is up! Please donate generously and send a message to these corporate blue dog pukes! They will not hold the progressive agenda hostage and still enjoy the support of the Democratic party...

Link: https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/conniesaltonstall

[Swatantra]

11:28 AM on 03/11/2010

I like that so much, I'll give her money!

[Freesia2]

11:26 AM on 03/11/2010

Good.

Let him enjoy his little 15 minutes (that's what this is about - he's puffed right up with a feeling of power), over ride him, get him out.

I happen to be neither for nor against abortion - I don't know what the heck I think. But I know that this discussion doesn't belong in this debate. I know that the public shouldn't have to pay for the religious beliefs of a single congressman. I know that right now he's not concerned about preserving that constitution he took an oath to protect and the position he was elected to fill. I know that he's not behaving as a congressman whose job it is to be a congressman.

If he wants to be an altar boy again - more power to him. Get out of the congress. I say that as a Christian. I'm sick of these people from the Catholic Church to the evangelicals and the talibangelicals try to press their religious beliefs onto everybody else. Church- state. Choose Stupak. You can actually have both but you have to remember that you observe one in the house of God and the other you practice in "the house". You were elected to be a congressman from Michigan not a representative of the Michigan Diocese.

[sharpeningmyclaws]

11:40 AM on 03/11/2010

What makes you think he is religious at all? To be pro-life is NOT a religious stance.......

[billyfromphilly]

11:50 AM on 03/11/2010

To be against giving access to medical care to American citizens is NOT pro-life. I'm not even sure how I feel about abortion, but regardless, thousands of real people suffer and die because the rest of us are too greedy to help. He voiced his objection, let him get over it. And it's probably not that he is actually pro-life, just his pollsters telling him that he'll get attacked for voting for a bill that can be construed to make it seem like he supports abortion. It's self-interest, and it kills too many good people.

[Freesia2]

11:55 AM on 03/11/2010

I'm not sure if you're being disingenous (about Stupak's motivations) or if you just honestly don't know. (Though you are correct that someone can be pro-life without being religious. Of course they can. Stupak isn't one of them.)

This might clear up where he stands and who's directing him:

http://www.ncregister.com/blog/stupak_view_from_the_house/

[DorianBrandon]

11:14 AM on 03/11/2010

Has Stupak realy achieved anything in Congress to be considered a sensible choice for re-election?

[zest]

09:26 AM on 03/11/2010

Tell me where to send a contribution to Saltonstall.

[Yasgur]

11:22 AM on 03/11/2010

Right here, and thanks from a 1st Districter:

http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/24052

[badinfluence]

09:42 PM on 03/12/2010

https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/conniesaltonstall

[tribilin219]

08:55 AM on 03/11/2010

I say if there's no Universal health care or public option? there should not be any mandate to buy health Insurance ! This crappy bill their trying to pass is only good for the health Insurance corporations, Why is this country only for the rich? when we go to war you can count the rich in the front lines with one hand of your body, what happened to liberty and justice for all? ( Mich) people need to get rid of A-Holes like Stupak and vote Ms. Saltonstall or some one new in he's place. And the same go's for the rest of the country, be he or she a DINO, or a Repub.