Despite allegations of paying for an abortion for a former girlfriend in 2000, businessman Mike Erickson still managed to win the Republican primary for the open fifth district Congressional seat. Erickson, however, lost the support of Oregon Right to Life, even for the general election, and is not supported by his primary opponent Kevin Mannix, leaving him a weakened candidate against Democrat Kurt Schrader.

Today, the Oregonian had a detailed account of the accusations against Erickson. Reporter Jeff Mapes had this to say on his blog:

“If Republican Mike Erickson were a typical congressional nominee, he’d be under terrific pressure to drop out of the race...

... The Oregonian’s account clears up any lingering doubt about whether there was an abortion and provides further corroborating evidence for the woman’s story. In addition, the woman, who agreed to be identified only by her first name of Tawnya, told the paper that she pointedly asked Erickson if he wanted to have a baby and went ahead with the abortion only after he said no....”

Mapes goes on to explain that Erickson, since he is rich and is willing to self-finance his campaign, can stay in the race and cause problems for Kurt Schrader and the Democrats.

I disagree. Just because Erickson can self-finance his campaign shouldn’t give him a pass on the pressure to get out. To me, it looks like the accusations are true, meaning Erickson lied about it. Also, many social conservatives will be a lot less likely to support him knowing that he once paid for an abortion.

It would not have been such an issue if he would have admitted to it to begin with, saying he had changed his position since then, and apologizing for any harm he had caused.

Erickson SHOULD drop out RIGHT NOW. Republican leaders and others should pressure him to get out. If Republicans want the seat in Congress back, they need an ethical candidate without the amount of baggage Erickson carries. We the people should also pressure Erickson to get out: you can contact Erickson’s campaign at 503-367-5505, or info@ericksonfor congress.com.

There are several good candidates who could replace Erickson, Mannix might be willing to step in, there are three current State Reps who were mentioned before, but who are in their own races now. Fmr. State Rep and radio-show host Jeff Kropf could also be a good candidate if he stepped in. Yes, it would be a challenge for a candidate to win after joining four-and-a-half months from the election, but I think it would be less difficult than it would be for Erickson to win.

I have already emailed Erickson’s campaign. I believe that dropping out would be the best thing for him to do, not only for the good of the party, but for his own good and the good of his family. It will be tough for them to undergo more of this for several months, only to see him lose in November.