State Rep. Larry Ahern supports Donald Trump for president. According to a Facebook post praising Trump for taking a stand against federal funding for Planned Parenthood, Ahern is putting his weight behind the reality TV celebrity.
“Thank you Mr. Trump for taking a stand on this! Beyond this your love and understanding of America makes you the best person to be the next president of the United States,” Ahern wrote.
He linked to a CNN story about Donald Trump saying a federal shutdown would be better than continuing to use federal dollars to fund Planned Parenthood. The issue has long been debated among Republicans hoping to defund the healthcare organization because they provide abortions. However, the debate came to a boil recently when an anti-abortion group released hidden camera footage of Planned Parenthood employees discussing costs involved in providing fetal tissue to scientists.
Profiting from fetal tissue is illegal and Planned Parenthood denied it sells fetal tissue.
Senate Democrats narrowly defeated a measure to defund the agency. Now many conservatives are speculating that budget deals be contingent on defunding Planned Parenthood. That could lead to another federal shutdown.
Ahern’s show of support for Trump’s brand of conservatism has only garnered one comment so far. Alan Swartz wrote, “He (Trump) would be a lot better for America than that RINO Jeb! Bush.”
Trump is polling ahead of the crowded GOP pack by as much as seven points according to some polls. His success so far comes as a shock to some after Trump has built an impressive resume of insulting comments. During his announcement speech he called illegal immigrants “rapists.” Later he insinuated that John McCain was not a war hero because he had been captured. Though Trump later clarified his remarks and lauded McCain as a war hero, his remarks prompted some backlash within his own party.
Perhaps Ahern will join his fellow Trump supporters at Hogan’s Beach Thursday night to enjoy what is sure to be an entertaining first GOP debate with Trump on the stage. Trump supporters are hosting a watch party at the popular spot on the Tampa side of the Courtney Campbell Causeway.
SaintPetersblog reporter Ryan Ray contributed to this report.
