Reproductive rights have emerged as a flashpoint in the Democratic primary race for Rep. Dan Lipinskis (Ill.) seat in Congress, as the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List pours money into helping the right-leaning incumbent defeat his progressive challenger, Marie Newman.

SBA List, a political action committee that normally works to elect anti-abortion Republicans , made the unusual move of endorsing Lipinski this week and spending six figures on ads for his campaign ahead of Tuesdays primary. SBAs president, Marjorie Dannenfelser, called Lipinski a hero to the pro-life movement because he opposes a womans right to choose abortion and even some forms of birth control. She said the group is trying to save one of its last remaining allies in the Democratic Party .