Salem, Ore. — Today, Oregon Right to Life PAC announced the endorsement of Representative Alek Skarlatos (R-Canyonville) for House District 4, representing parts of Douglas, Jackson, and Josephine counties.
Skarlatos was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 2024, where he currently serves as Deputy Leader. He is a former Oregon National Guardsman who earned international recognition for his heroism in helping to stop an armed terrorist on a train from Amsterdam to Paris in 2015. The representative’s inspiring story was later adapted into the film The 15:17 to Paris. During his military service, Skarlatos achieved the rank of Specialist and completed a nine-month deployment in Afghanistan.
ORTL executive director Lois Anderson said, “Alek Skarlatos is an American hero and a strong pro-life advocate whose commitment to the most vulnerable has been clearly demonstrated. We are proud to endorse Alek Skarlatos for the Oregon House.”
During his time in office, Representative Alek Skarlatos partnered with Oregon Right to Life to sponsor the Born Alive Infants Protection Act, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, and the Every Mother Matters Act, legislation that provides a contrast to the state’s current law.
In Oregon, elective abortion is legal until the moment of birth. Late-term abortions have rapidly increased. Last year, 284 abortions were performed at or after 23 weeks gestation, more than triple the number in 2022. At this age, an unborn child can feel pain and survive outside of the womb. Recent data shows that 80% of abortions in Oregon are funded by taxpayers, even though the majority of Americans across the political aisle do not support using tax dollars to fund abortion, according to recent polling.
ORTL political director, Sharolyn Smith, added, “In a state like Oregon, we need bold leaders who will stand up for the protection of human life even amidst opposition and adversity. That is the kind of leadership Representative Skarlatos brings to Salem.”
