Planned Parenthood PA Endorses Montco State Rep. Candidate

HORSHAM, PA — Melissa Cerrato, the Democratic challenger for the 151st Legislative District in Montgomery County, announced that she has won the endorsement of Planned Parenthood of Pennsylvania.

Cerrato, a Montgomery County resident, is looking to unseat Republican incumbent State Rep. Todd Stephens, who has held the seat since 2010.

The race is highly watched since it involves one of only a couple state House seats still held by Republicans in Montgomery County.

Cerrato's campaign conceded that Stephens' bipartisan voting record during many of his years in office earned him the "attention and support of Planned Parenthood," even though the Republican had previously stated he supported more pro-life legislation.

"With rising threats to reproductive rights across our county and commonwealth, it seems Stephens' favor has worn out," reads a news release the Cerrato campaign circulated late last week.

Meanwhile, Patch reached out to Stephens, who pointed out that even Cerrato herself is acknowledging his "strong pro-choice voting records and consistent support of a woman's right to choose."

"My pro-choice voting record speaks for itself," Stephens said. "I believe these decisions should be between a woman and her doctor."

Still, Cerrato, who called the Planned Parenthood endorsement an "incredible honor," pointed out that her opponent voted in June 2021 in favor of what she termed a 'fetal homicide bill' that called for imprisoning abortion care providers and their patients in Pennsylvania.

Stephens, however, is strongly disputing the claim about HB 1095, the previous bill Cerrato was referring to.

"HB1095 does not apply to abortion providers or pregnant women," Stephens tweeted last week. "Even Planned Parenthood agrees: 'Title 18 of the PA code exempts abortion from the acts that may be subject to liability as act[s] constituting murder of an unborn child."

Stephens provided a link to Title 18 that states, "Nothing in this chapter shall impose criminal liability: (1) For acts committed during any abortion or attempted abortion, whether lawful or unlawful, in which the pregnant woman cooperated or consented."

The full statute can be read here.

In follow up comments, Stephens told Patch that Cerrato is lying about House Bill 1095, which revises current statute, since the measure actually increases penalties for domestic abusers and other violent criminals who attack pregnant women, and the law specifically excludes abortion providers and pregnant women from prosecution.

Stephens said this is why the measure was supported by law enforcement and passed the House with "strong bipartisan support including 10 democrats and a member of the House Democratic Leadership team."

Patch reconnected with the Cerrato campaign after speaking with Stephens, and we were provided the following statement:

"Much of the rising anti-abortion legislation in PA is intentionally vague and expansive. House Bill 1095 is no different. These efforts, while they may not directly criminalize abortion, open the door to new legal definitions of personhood and that will allow for further unraveling of reproductive freedom in Pennsylvania. Make no mistake: the intention of these efforts is to subvert abortion access and limit protections for those giving and getting abortions. Todd's continued support of the extreme anti-abortion GOP leadership in the PA House leaves us unwilling to trust his assertion on which legislation would or would not threaten abortion in Pennsylvania. We deserve better."

Meanwhile, Cerrato said she appreciates the recent Planned Parenthood endorsement and hopes her pro-choice message would resonate with voters.

"This year, Planned Parenthood knows there is too much on the line to trust someone who 'might' not vote to strip pregnant people of the freedom to control their own bodies, protect their own health, or build the families they want," Cerrato said in a statement, referencing Stephens. "Being represented by a 'moderate Republican' who talks out of both sides of his mouth — and leaves his constituency to wonder who he really is and where he really stands — is no longer an option. We must demand representation that we can trust."

Cerrato said she first walked into a Planned Parenthood facility when she was 16 years old and has continued to "turn to them during times in my life when I was uninsured and in need of healthcare I could trust."

The Democrat said Pennsylvanians deserve an advocate who will support policies and legislation designed to empower women, and someone who will remind state leaders that "abortion is healthcare and we won't go back."

"I have trusted Planned Parenthood to care for me since the day I started making my own healthcare decisions," Cerrato stated. "I am so proud to have earned their trust in return, and I promise I will continue to do all I can to earn yours."