Campaign finance reports indicate that Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) was the third-leading beneficiary of Planned Parenthood donations during the 2018 election cycle.
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Klobuchar raked in $17,650 in donations from the country’s foremost abortion provider. She trailed in donations to Sen. Clair McCaskill (D-MO), who received $26,090 from Planned Parenthood, and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), who received $31,024.
In total, Planned Parenthood made an estimated $3,580,392 million in contributions to political candidates and organizations. Other recipients of those contributions included Congresswoman-elect Angie Craig (D-MN-02) and Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN). Craig received $6,350 in donations from Planned Parenthood during her campaign, while Smith received $5,700.
During the campaign, former Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards attended a day of rallies and campaign events put on by Minnesota’s Democrats.
“If you elect these outstanding women, we’re going to change the country,” Richards said a September rally at the University of Minnesota. “If the majority of the U.S. Senate could get pregnant, we could stop fighting about access to reproductive health care, birth control, and safe, legal abortion.”
While serving as a congressman for Minnesota’s First Congressional District, Minnesota Gov.-elect Tim Walz received his fair share of donations from Planned Parenthood, including $11,000 in donations during his 2012 reelection campaign.
After a successful election night for Minnesota’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party, the Midwest branch of Planned Parenthood congratulated a slate of candidates on their respective victories.
“Congratulations to Tim Walz and Peggy Flanagan, our next Governor and Lt. Governor. Walz and Flanagan have always stood up for Planned Parenthood patients and we stand ready to work with them to advocate for equitable and accessible health care for all Minnesotans,” Planned Parenthood tweeted last Tuesday.
Congratulations to @Tim_Walz and @PeggyFlanagan, our next Governor and Lt. Governor! Walz and Flanagan have always stood up for Planned Parenthood patients and we stand ready to work with them to advocate for equitable and accessible health care for all Minnesotans. #mngov pic.twitter.com/WFKpT0Vc4b
— Planned Parenthood Minnesota Advocate (@ppmn) November 7, 2018
The organization also celebrated Klobuchar’s victory to a third term in the U.S. Senate, calling her a “fearless champion.”
“Amy Klobuchar is a true champion for women and families, and longtime advocate for reproductive health and rights, and Minnesotans are lucky to have her representing us in the U.S. Senate,” Planned Parenthood wrote.
Congratulations our fearless champion and @ppact endorsed candidate @AmyKlobuchar! Amy Klobuchar is a true champion for women and families and longtime advocate for reproductive health and rights and Minnesotans are lucky to have her representing us in the U.S. Senate. pic.twitter.com/TXpVxjYOpt
— Planned Parenthood Minnesota Advocate (@ppmn) November 7, 2018
Planned Parenthood congratulated a number of other candidates, including Keith Ellison in his race for the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, as well as Craig and Smith, who previously served as an executive for the abortion provider before entering politics.
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
