Perdue defends pro-choice record

Beverly Perdue defended her pro-choice record last week.

In an interview with the Charlotte Observer, the lieutenant governor, who is running for the Democratic nomination for governor, said she has raised money for state lawmakers in support of abortion rights and participated in get-out-the-vote efforts last year for Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America.

"I don't think there's been anybody who's worked harder on health care issues, including choice, than me," she said.

Perdue was responding to attacks from her Democratic rival, state Treasurer Richard Moore, that she has wavered on the issue. Moore's campaign pointed to a reduction from $1.2 million to $50,000 in 1995 in the state abortion fund for poor women when Perdue was one of the Senate's chief budget writers.

But Perdue said at the legislature "one person doesn't decide anything."