Benjamin says she’ll bring family values to Traficant’s district
by Rob Moll
CCN-USA
AKRON–Though former Congressman Jim Traficant is running his campaign for re-election to Congress from prison, the incumbent’s expulsion from Congress has opened up the door for Republican candidate Ann Womer Benjamin. It could also be a turning point in the House where Republicans hold a slim majority and two traditionally Democratic districts may turn Republican if in district three Mike Turner beats Democrat Rick Carne, former chief of staff for Tony Hall.
In an interview with several conservative groups, including the Pro-Family Network, the Conservative Coalition, the Eagle Forum, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Family Association of Ohio, Benjamin defended her conservative position.
“I thought I’ve been a conservative my entire life,” Benjamin said in response to references to her alleged liberal voting record. “I am a very traditional family oriented person,” she said. “I believe very strongly in marriage.” Benjamin also said she opposes same sex marriages, saying that marriage is the Bible based sanctified relationship between a man and a woman, and a family grows out of that with their progeny.
Greg Quinlan, president of the Pro-Family Network, said Benjamin’s voting record as a state representative has gotten more conservative recently, but he was concerned over what he considered to be more liberal voting past.
Benjamin said she had received some pressure from conservatives but said it was only because as a young legislator she was not familiar with the abortion issue. She said she was upset during the debate when the issue focused on the baby because she also wanted to learn about mothers. “I listen to the testimony,” she said. “I talk to people even though I disagree with them.”
Benjamin said that as she became more familiar with the abortion issue, she has strengthened in her opposition to it.
Calling herself “old fashioned,” Benjamin said she is concerned about
values in her community and the nation. She said she is a leader in her church and has worked hard to maintain a traditional family with her husband of 24 years and two daughters.
“I take my faith very seriously,” Benjamin said.
She said she supports adoption for single mothers, but is not sure where to draw the line when homosexuals wish to adopt.
Regarding HIV/ AIDS education, Benjamin said, “I deal with reality. In a perfect world, everyone would abstain until marriage and would be monogamous in marriage.” She said it is important to be pragmatic, but the focus at the federal level should be changed to abstinence until marriage.
Citing a visit to Planned Parenthood, Benjamin said she supports their women’s services, but does not support any publicly funded abortion. She said she would not support any federal bill that included funds for abortion.
Following the interview, Quinlan expressed hope that if Benjamin and Turner are both elected in the fall, Ohio would have a conservative voice in the U.S. House.
Benjamin faces not only Traficant, who is running as an independent, but also Democrat Tim Ryan, Libertarian Tim McNeil and another independent, Warren Davis.