Contact: Genevieve Wilson, Georgia Right to Life, 770-339-6880

NORCROSS, Ga., March 7, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- Georgia Right to Life President, Dan Becker today expressed extreme disappointment that a national group has interfered in a Georgia primary election campaign.

"U.S. Senate candidate Karen Handel believes that some pre-born babies can be killed based on their manner of conception," said Becker. "Making such exceptions in laws created to protect pre-born children is illogical."

Reacting to the Susan B. Anthony List's recent endorsement of Handel, Becker said, "Such actions threaten to undercut GRTL, one of the most successful pro-life organizations in the country. It dismisses a record of achievement that has taken 14 years to build. It gives cover to candidates claiming to be pro-life but, who actually hold positions that don't embrace the sanctity of all innocent human life."

As evidence of GRTL's success, Becker pointed to the March 3rd Georgia Senate vote where 66% of the Senators voted for a GRTL-backed bill banning public funding for abortions. The only exceptions are for cases of medical necessity to protect the life of the mother. "This is mainstream Georgia politics," said Becker, "and I am proud of our legislators." That measure, SB98, is now before the Georgia House of Representatives.

In addition, Georgia is the only state where all eight constitutional officers support a "no rape or incest exception" stance for abortion laws. Georgia and only one other state have successfully precluded rape and incest exceptions in their legal codes.

"Lack of a moral stance on the sanctity of human life and political expediency has engulfed the national movement. We dare not nullify the very definition of pro-life. It's time to get back to first principles and recognize that all human beings are created in God's image; therefore they deserve protection under the law," Becker said.

GRTL Executive Director, Nancy Stith noted that neither GRTL nor SBA List endorsed Handel when she ran for governor in 2010 because she held a disqualifying definition of when life begins. Stith said, "She told our organization, 'A child is not a child until it implants in the uterus.'

"That's between 6-12 days after the union of egg and sperm forms a unique person. Denying legal protection until implantation allows the destruction of and deadly experimentation on these tiny human beings created in labs."

"Even though Mrs. Handel has not publicly changed her positions, she is now magically promoted as a strong pro-life candidate," Stith said.

Stith noted that GRTL has made numerous unsuccessful attempts to meet with Handel to determine if her positions have changed.

Stith said, "GRTL welcomes support from any pro-life organization, as long as it's consistent with our proven strategy. I am distressed that a national group is arbitrarily and unnecessarily lowering the bar on our endorsements."

"Sadly, there are those who feel we need to compromise in order to win elections and pass laws. Fortunately, an 89% GRTL PAC success rate makes moral compromise absurd in Georgia," Becker said. "We should be working together to save innocent lives, not undermining each other. In the meantime, babies are being killed."

In May the GRTL PAC endorsed Congressman Paul Broun (R-Athens) to replace retiring U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss.

"Congressman Broun is the right candidate. The pro-life position he holds stands in stark contrast to Mrs. Handel's and, evidently, to that of the Susan B. Anthony List," Becker said.

Georgia Right to Life promotes respect and effective legal protection for all innocent human life from earliest biological beginning through national death. GRTL is one of a number of organizations that have adopted Personhood as the most effective pro-life strategy for the 21st century.