An abortion rights group was among three groups that endorsed State Sen. Patrick Welch, D-Peru, Monday afternoon.

Pat Dougherty, a representative of the National Abortion Rights Action League, said she was encouraged by Welch’s pro-choice stand since the 1989 Webster court decision giving states more authority to enact abortion legislation. Dougherty also said Welch’s experience was a factor in supporting Welch.

When asked why NARAL didn’t support Republican challenger Nancy Beasley, who is also pro-choice, Dougherty said, “When a legislator moves toward our position we reward that change.” Welch consistently took a pro-life stand on legislation before he announced his switch to a pro-choice view this year.

Dougherty said the Webster decision forced state legislators to re-examine their views. There is nothing wrong with a legislator responding to the convictions of his constituency, she said.

Louise Dieterle of the Illinois State Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations said Welch’s support of tax exemptions for the elderly and the blind led the group to support him. “$20 million was put back in the pockets of the elderly and blind people,” she said.

“As a former NIU faculty member I know he was helpful to many of us as individuals or as groups,” Dieterle said. Dieterle was an NIU education department professor until her 1989 retirement.

The State Nurses Active in Politics in Illinois also endorsed Welch. SNAPI Spokesman Carol Wilson said, “he’s been good to us in health care issues.”

State Sen. Joyce Holmberg, D-Rockford, was also present and said she “wholeheartedly” endorsed Welch. Holmberg praised Welch for his support of legislation requiring insurance coverage for mammograms for women aged 35 and over.

Beasley could not be reached for comment.