Kathy Dahlkemper Remarks - Democratic National Convention

Kathy Dahlkemper - DNC 2012

Democrats for Life of America Panel

Tuesday, September 4

 

I am a Proud Democrat.  I am a proud Pro-life Democrat.  And I often refer to myself as a Whole Life Democrat because I believe in the sanctity of lIfe from conception to natural death.  This believe wraps around the ideals of Social Justice, of honoring human dignity, of focusing on the Common Good.

As a voter, I have searched for candidates who had my values, who are truly pro-life.  I have found them few and far between.

I am from Western Pennsylvania.  This is a traditional area of the country.  It is traditional versus conservative.  It is by and large a pro-life area.  Western Pennsylvania residents are mostly middle class; unions are strong; and there is a slight Democratic registration advantage.  But this part of the country often votes Republican because of the life issue.

In 2008 I won the seat for the 3rd Congressional District in Pennsylvania, a seat that had not been held by a Democrat for 32 years - since 1976.

In my primary race in 2008 I ran against three other Democratic candidates, all pro-choice.  They and others often questioned if I was a