Dec 05, 2011
A Bad Week for Republican Rob Cornilles
Last week was a rough one for OR-01 Special Election Republican Rob Cornilles, who has been backtracking on his Tea Party positions in an effort to appear moderate in Oregon’s First District special congressional election. First, the Independent Party of Oregon nominated Democrat Suzanne Bonamici in the special election over Cornilles, who has called himself “the original Tea Party candidate.” Now, Bonamici will be able to add the Independent Party label, along with her Democratic one, on the ballot when voting starts on January 13th.
Rob Cornilles’ “independent” image took another blow when he was forced to defend his extreme anti-choice position that is wildly out of step with Oregon’s First District. Cornilles was endorsed by Oregon Right to Life and opposes abortion even if the mother’s health is at stake.
When voting begins on January 13th, Suzanne Bonamici is the clear choice for Oregonians who want an independent voice in Congress, rather than a Tea Party Republican like Rob Cornilles.
Background
Cornilles Lost Independent Party of Oregon Nomination to Bonamici. Last week Cornilles lost the nomination for the Independent Party of Oregon to his Democratic opponent, Suzanne Bonamici. The nomination meant that Bonamici had the “independent” label in an environment where voters are frustrated with partisanship. The Independent Party's blessing would have helped efforts by Cornilles to emphasizes his independence from the Republican Party. Under Oregon’s fusion voting law, candidates could have more than one party on the ballot, therefore Bonamici was able to add the Independent Party label, along with her Democratic one, on the Jan. 31, 2012 ballot. [KATU.com, 11/29/11; Oregonian, 11/29/11; Associated Press, 11/29/11]
Opposed Women’s Right to Choose Even if Health of the Mother at Stake - Received Oregon Right to Life's Endorsement in 2010 and 2011. Cornilles received Oregon Right to Life’s endorsement both in his 2010 race for Congress and again this year. However, he didn’t bring up the endorsement on the campaign trail. Cornilles is pro-life and said he supported restrictions on abortion. Voters in the first district favor abortion rights. Cornilles failed to say he would allow a woman’s right to choose if the health of the mother was at stake. [Oregonian, 12/4/11; Oregonian, 12/1/11]
Cornilles Called Himself “The Original Tea Party Candidate.” In 2010, Cornilles called himself “the original Tea Party candidate” and epitomized Tea Party values. [Executive Club forum, 5/5/10]
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