Coyne-McCoy Criticizes Langevin on Abortion (posted August 27, 1999)

Democratic Congressional Candidate Kate Coyne-McCoy has lobbed the first blast in the second congressional district by criticizing Secretary of State James Langevin's position on abortion. In an August 18 fundraising letter, she writes, "It's official! I have announced my candidacy to represent Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. And now it is also officially part of the public record that my Democratic primary opponent, Jim Langevin, is staunchly pro-life." The letter points out that Langevin has received a contribution from the Rhode Island Right to Life Committee Political Action Committee.

Based on the letter, look for Coyne-McCoy to position herself as a "working mother of two children." The letter paints Langevin as a "career politician" with support from "pro-life special interests rather than with the will of the majority of Americans."

The mailing, with its emphasis on abortion and HMO regulation, signals the start of what will be a lively Democratic primary in the second congressional district.