Conservative women's group backs state Rep. Jim Tracy over U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais

photo Sen. Jim Tracy
Arkansas-Tennessee Live Blog

NASHVILLE - A national conservative women's group Monday endorsed Republican state Rep. Jim Tracy in his challenge to 4th Congressional District Congressman Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., citing what it called DesJarslais' "abandonment of his core principles."

"I firmly believe that Jim Tracy is just what this Tennessee district needs," said Penny Nance, CEO of Concerned Women PAC, a group that says it promotes "core" issues like "sanctity of human life."

She said Tracy's "openness and candor will provide a fresh start for the citizens in Tennessee 4 [th District) and he stands as a strong contrast to Scott DesJarlais' abandonment of his core principles."

DesJarlais' political career is endangered by revelations during his 2012 campaign in which the South Pittsburg physician encouraged a former patient he'd slept with to get an abortion in 2000.

After the campaign, a transcript was released from DesJarlais' divorce trial in which he acknowledged going along with his then-wife's decision in the 1990s to seek abortions on two occasions.

DesJarlais, first elected to the U.S. House in 2010, says he has since changed his life.

The Concerned Women PAC was founded by Beverly LaHaye, who is also involved with the Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, which says it is the largest public policy women's organization, with more than 500,000 grass-roots members nationwide.

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