A judge has ruled against the Susan B. Anthony group’s motion to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by former Ohio Rep. Steve Driehaus, claiming that the group lied when it put up billboards stating the Democrat supported abortion by voting for health care reform.

Via the Washington Post:

A federal judge has tossed out a lawsuit by an anti-abortion group that claimed Ohio law restricts political speech.

The judge also Monday refused to dismiss former U.S. Rep. Steve Driehaus’ (DREE’-hows-ez) defamation lawsuit against the group over advertising criticizing his vote on the health care overhaul.

…

The ruling continuing Driehaus’ lawsuit says the group may have misled voters by claiming he supported taxpayer-funded abortions.

Kristen Day, Executive Director of Democrats for Life, applauded the judge’s decision.

“It was unfortunate that a vote for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was mischaracterized as a pro-abortion vote and used as a partisan tool to defeat pro-life Democrats, like Steve Driehaus.” said Kristen Day, Executive Director of Democrats For Life of America. “The ruling will not correct the injustices done to good Members, like Steve, but it also vindicates the other pro-life Members who were also unjustly targeted, including Sen. Bob Casey (PA), Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper (PA), Rep. Jerry Costello (IL), Rep. Joe Donnelly (IN), Rep. Brad Ellsworth (IN), Rep. Paul Kanjorski (PA), Rep. Dale Kildee (MI) Rep. Alan Mollohan (WV), Sen. Ben Nelson (NE), Rep. Jim Oberstar (MN), Rep. Nick Rahall (WV), Rep. Bart Stupak (MI) and Rep. Charlie Wilson (OH).”

The Susan B. Anthony group has said it will appeal the ruling.