Counsel in Landmark Parental Rights Case Endorses Ayotte
by Staff
September 14, 2010
WASHINGTON, (christiansunite.com) -- Today, Teresa Collett - a key constitutional scholar who served as counsel defending parental rights during the Planned Parenthood of Northern New England v. Ayotte case - added her endorsement of New Hampshire U.S. Senate candidate Kelly Ayotte to that of the Susan B. Anthony List and New Hampshire Citizens for Life."I am delighted to endorse Kelly Ayotte for the U.S. Senate," Collett said. "I met Kelly when I was representing members of the New Hampshire legislature who supported parents' right to know that their daughters are seeking abortions. When the law was initially challenged, the former Attorney General barely defended the case and we lost in the trial court. That all changed when Kelly was appointed as Attorney General."
"Her first week in office, we began strategizing on how to win the appeal. She was determined to protect parents' rights and young girls' health. While she had numerous cases to oversee Kelly took a particular interest in this case. She put her best appellate people on the case and sat in on most meetings. After the First Circuit Court of Appeals refused to reverse, Kelly was determined to take it to the Supreme Court."
"We won this case because of Kelly's determination and her commitment to protecting young girls and their families. She is smart, articulate, and determined. We need women like Kelly in Congress."
Collett's record of pro-life advocacy spans for more than a decade in which she has briefed a committee of the U.S. Senate about the consequences of Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, the U.S. House of Representatives and various state legislatures about the constitutional right of parents to know of their daughter's decision before an abortion and the U.S. Supreme Court regarding partial birth abortion and parental notification. In the case of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England v. Ayotte, Collett was brought on-board to assist in oral arguments at the Appeals Court because of her constitutional scholarship. She then represented Governors Tim Pawlenty and John Hoeven and several New Hampshire legislators when the case was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Teresa Collett is now running for Congress in Minnesota's 4th district.
"Teresa Collett's endorsement stands next to that of New Hampshire Citizens for Life. Their support yields further proof that those who worked closest with her on the parental rights case are behind her record 100 percent," SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said. "Pro-life leaders are backing Kelly Ayotte because they understand how vital it is to have a woman of this stature advocating for women and unborn children in the U.S. Senate."
The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of Americans, over 280,000 residing in all 50 states, dedicated to mobilizing, advancing, and representing pro-life women in politics. Its connected Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process.
