The “Can’t Trust Carluccio” tour stopped in Philadelphia on Friday to highlight State Supreme Court candidate Carolyn Carluccio’s positions on reproductive rights. Carluccio was caught removing anti-abortion language from her website last spring.
Dozens of local advocates rallied in West Philadelphia on Friday to highlight the impact the upcoming Pennsylvania Supreme Court election could have on reproductive rights in the commonwealth.
Friday’s rally and canvass kickoff was hosted by abortion rights advocates, healthcare providers, and local community leaders, and is part of the “Can’t Trust Carluccio” tour, which has made stops in Montgomery and Allegheny Counties, with more actions planned through Election Day.
The goal of the campaign is to ensure voters are aware of Republican candidate Carolyn Carluccio’s opposition to reproductive rights.
The Keystone originally reported in May that Carluccio, a Montgomery County Judge, removed anti-abortion language from her website. The language claimed that she would be a defender of all life under law from her campaign website. She also sought the endorsement of the PA Pro-Life Federation, which advocates for a total ban on abortion.
Dr. Zeke Taylor spoke to the crowd on Friday about the importance of the race and of electing someone who supports reproductive rights.
“As a doctor, I’ve dedicated my life to the well-being of my patients and to the principles of science. And it’s from this perspective I stand before you today deeply concerned about the future of healthcare in our state,” Dr. Zeke Taylor told the crowd. “Access to abortion care is not just an individual’s choice. It’s a collective responsibility that transcends political affiliations. To safeguard this essential healthcare service we need judges at every level of the court system who understand the importance of protecting it.”
Pennsylvanians will choose between Carluccio and Superior Court Judge Daniel McCaffery, the Democratic nominee, in less than three weeks, on Nov. 7. The winner will fill an open seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Unlike Carluccio, McCaffery is embracing reproductive rights on the campaign trail. He recently told reporters that Pennsylvanians elect judges and they deserve to know where candidates stand on these issues.
Democrats currently hold a 4-2 majority and are looking to retain their 5-2 majority, which will make it easier for them to maintain control of the court for years to come. In 2025, three Democratic justices will be up for retention while another Democratic justice will have to retire in 2027 due to the state’s constitutionally mandatory retirement age.
Preserving reproductive rights has been the main rallying cry for Democrats in this judicial election.
Planned Parenthood Votes, the national political arm of the reproductive rights organization, launched a seven-figure ad campaign reminding voters about Carluccio removing the anti-abortion language from her website.
Kadida Kenner, the CEO of the New Pennsylvania Project, warned that voters cannot trust Carluccio if the US Supreme Court continues to issue rulings that leave states to decide on issues like reproductive rights and voting right.
“We must vote for judges who value what we value and understand our lived experiences and protect our rights and freedoms. We will not get that with Carluccio. We cannot trust her on her word,” Kenner told the crowd.
Sean Kitchen Sean Kitchen is the Keystone’s political correspondent, based in Harrisburg. Sean is originally from Philadelphia and spent five years working as a writer and researcher for Pennsylvania Spotlight.
