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An example of this tendency is , which is drawing heat for its endorsement of St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones — and only Jones — in Tuesday’s mayoral race.

That singular endorsement is in spite of the fact that Jones’ challenger, Alderwoman Cara Spencer, also is a steadfast supporter of reproductive rights.

Presented with several candidates who support their goals, advocacy groups often choose to endorse more than one candidate in a race. Or, as Planned Parenthood Great Rivers did in this mayoral contest, they don’t endorse any candidate.

But Abortion Action not only has endorsed Jones, it also has actively campaigned for her through social media posts and citywide mailers that criticize Spencer.

The complaint from Spencer supporters is not that Jones does not support reproductive rights. Rather, the gripe is that Spencer is being targeted by the group for defeat.

“Cara Spencer’s public record for abortion rights is quite clear, but it seems as if (Abortion Action) is making a choice� for reasons not related to abortion, said Dr. Diana L. Gray.

Gray is an obstetrics and gynecology professor at Washington University and physician at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

To be sure, Gray supports Spencer for mayor and has in the past held a fundraiser for her. But her preference of Spencer over Jones has nothing to do with reproductive rights.

“I don’t have any problem with Mayor Jones on that� issue, Gray said. “I just think Cara Spencer would make a better mayor, but that has to do with other reasons.�

She said groups looking to further a cause should support all candidates fighting for that cause.

“People donate money to these groups thinking it’s going to (promote) reproductive rights,� Gray said. “But it really seems like they’re just carrying out a personal political agenda.�

Said Gray, “It seems like a misuse of funds.�

Sheila Greenbaum, a civil rights lawyer in St. Louis and past chair of Planned Parenthood’s affiliate board, described the effort against Spencer as “deeply troubling.�

Greenbaum said Spencer has been “an unwavering champion for reproductive rights.�

Greenbaum pointed out that Spencer has worked with advocates to remove local abortion restrictions from the St. Louis city codes.

“In every critical moment, she has stood on the righteous side of this issue — not just in words, but in action,� Greenbaum said.

Like Gray, she questions spending money in an effort to defeat Spencer, saying the resources are “intended to fight for reproductive freedom in Missouri, not to tear down allies in that fight.�

Abortion Action Missouri — which has gone by other names in recent years, such as Pro-Choice Missouri — has a that gets involved in election efforts.

Mallory Schwarz, Abortion Action’s executive director, declined to comment in an interview Wednesday if there were any specific reasons related to reproductive rights that warranted opposition to Spencer.

Later, Schwarz provided a written statement: “We are not a pro-choice stamp of approval; our responsibility is to support those leaders who will best advance our cause of reproductive freedom and equity for all. When you look at Mayor Jones’ record on the issue, there is no question.�

Last week on Facebook, the group featured a post that lambasted Spencer by saying she has “a well-documented record of pocketing corporate donations, running on conservative interests, and using harmful dog-whistle language ...�

The group also paid for a mailer, recently sent out citywide, which states “Mayor Jones has a plan. Her opponent does not.�

As one would guess, Spencer questions the group’s concerted efforts against her, calling them “reprehensible, a slap in the face.�

“I’ve given unwavering support, staunchly and strongly,� Spencer said of reproductive rights issues.

This is not the first time that Abortion Action, which used to be known as Pro Choice Missouri, has drawn heat for its endorsements, or for specifically siding with Jones.

In 2021, the group endorsed only Jones in her first run for mayor. Spencer said that while she was in the process of filling out the group’s survey, the group publicly announced it was endorsing Jones.

At the time, the group dubbed Jones as “our one clear champion.�

In 2022, the group decided not to endorse state Rep. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette, in her successful bid for the Missouri Senate, despite her long history of working for reproductive rights.

In that race, McCreery received endorsements from Planned Parenthood and Access MO.

In a 2023 interview, McCreery recalled that when she met with the group for endorsements, the conversation did not focus on her pro-abortion-rights record or legislative actions.

“It seemed like they were trying to get me to endorse (another) of their candidates, and I didn’t think that was right,� McCreery said.

But hey, that’s not to say Abortion Action has never had anything nice to say about Spencer. It did tack this following statement to the bottom of their February press release:

“Cara Spencer is pro-choice, and we acknowledge and appreciate her commitment.�