A 1990 Illinois Republican primary, decided by a coin toss, became a national proxy war over abortion.
The episode begins by noting how abortion has become a partisan sorting issue, contrasting with past bipartisan diversity. Host Peter Hancock introduces guest Patrick Wohl, author of 'Down Ballot: How a Local Campaign Became a National Referendum on Abortion.' Wohl explains he grew up in the northwest Chicago suburbs where the race occurred and was drawn to its lore, including the coin toss. The race was between incumbent conservative Penny Pullen and moderate challenger Rosemary Mulligan in 1990. Pullen was a longtime legislator aligned with figures like Phyllis Schlafly and Jerry Falwell, opposing the Equal Rights Amendment and working on HIV/AIDS bills. Mulligan was a paralegal and mother motivated to run after the Webster v. Reproductive Health Services Supreme Court decision allowed more state abortion restrictions. The discussion covers the historical abortion landscape in Illinois, where pro-life Democrats and pro-choice Republicans were common, unlike today. The campaign attracted national media and outside money as the first post-Webster litmus test, with groups like Personal PAC getting involved. Election night saw a narrow margin, leading to a recount where a judge examined dimpled chads to determine voter intent, eventually declaring a tie. A coin flip followed, but the legal battle continued, ending with Pullen winning by seven votes after a Supreme Court remand. Wohl notes the Pullen v. Mulligan case was cited in Bush v. Gore, affecting the 2000 presidential recount standards. The attorneys in the local case, Mike Lavelle and Bert Odelson, later worked on opposite sides in the 2000 recount, showing the non-ideological nature of election law. Mulligan won a rematch in 1992 and served for years, facing challenges from both parties while focusing on healthcare and gambling issues. The episode concludes with Wohl promoting his book, which won the Illinois State Historical Society's Best of Illinois History Award.
