Ohio Gubernatorial Candidate Mike DeWine Supported Nomination of Judge Who Blocked Planned Parenthood Defunding

Attorney General Mike DeWine, a Republican candidate for governor of Ohio, supported the nomination of the judge who ultimately blocked a state law to defund Planned Parenthood when he was a U.S. senator.

On the floor of the Senate in 2006, DeWine spoke glowingly of Michael R. Barrett, who had been nominated by President George W. Bush to serve as a federal district court judge for the Southern District of Ohio.

In the C-Span video below, DeWine begins speaking at 3:18:45:

“Mr. Barrett is an outstanding attorney, a man who has shown his dedication to public and community service throughout his life,” DeWine said. “I’m confident that he will be an excellent addition to the bench.”

DeWine added that Barrett “is a good person. … Michael Barrett is an outstanding nominee. I am proud to support his nomination, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.”

An email blast from Lake County Right to Life observes that Right to Life Action Coalition of Ohio (RTLACO) did not endorse DeWine because he refused to take its survey that helps the organization decide on endorsements.

Additionally, the author at Lake County Right to Life writes:

Mike DeWine says he is “100% pro-life” but when you’re not looking he has confirmed Liberal, pro-Planned Parenthood Judges:

• Instead of fighting for conservative jurists nominated by President George W. Bush, DeWine joined with Democrats and liberal Republicans to undermine 10 of the most conservative judicial nominees. They became known as the Gang of 14.
• DeWine voted YES on Merrick Garland (later nominated by Obama to the Supreme Court), even Mitch McConnell voted NAY.
• DeWine voted YES on Sonia Sotomayor when even John McCain and Mitch McConnell voted NAY.

RTLACO continues by stating that, in February 2016, when Gov. John Kasich signed House Bill 294 into law, stripping Planned Parenthood of its Medicaid funding, it was Judge Michael R. Barrett of U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio who issued the restraining order that blocked the enforcement of the law.

There are no stronger CHAMPIONS for LIFE and family than Ken Blackwell, Bachmann, Boykin, and they have endorsed Taylor/Estruth as the only true champions for LIFE in Ohio. Thank you! Here’s a picture of my daughter and me at the same spot. pic.twitter.com/3WbLUK5yFi

— Nathan Estruth (@nathanestruth) April 25, 2018

RTLACO has endorsed Republican Mary Taylor in the governor’s race and her running mate Nathan Estruth:

I am honored to have the endorsement of the Right to Life Action Coalition of Ohio. I am proudly pro-life and will protect the life of the unborn as Governor. pic.twitter.com/OWPziUj6q4

— Mary Taylor (@MaryTaylorOH) April 3, 2018