By Keegan Gibson, Managing Editor.

Remember those heated pro-life and pro-choice rallies outside Jack Wagner’s office? Neither do we. But two of the issue’s most politically active groups have picked sides in the 2012 campaign for Auditor General.

Last week, Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania PAC endorsed Pa. Rep. Eugene DePasquale (D-York) for the office. The Susan B. Anthony List, an organization that recruits pro-life women for public office, endorsed Republican Chester County Treasurer Ann Duke today.

“We are absolutely thrilled to endorse Eugene DePasquale for Auditor General. Women’s healthcare is increasingly under attack in Pennsylvania and across the nation, and we couldn’t be happier to support a candidate who so clearly recognizes the need for personal healthcare decisions to be left in the hands of women and families,” said Sari Stevens, Executive Director for the Planned Parenthood PA PAC in a statement.  “We know that Eugene is the right person to ensure state programs that impact women’s healthcare are run efficiently and effectively.”

“The Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund is proud to endorse Ann Duke for State Auditor,” said SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser in a statement.  “She is committed to keeping taxpayer dollars from funding abortions and has the unique opportunity as State Auditor to keep taxpayers out of the abortion business.”

These endorsements are far less about the office, and far more about these candidates’ primary campaign effort to lock down key portions of their base. It helps DePasquale reach out to the liberal bloc in southeast Pa, and it helps Duke reach out to the conservative activists who can help fuel an otherwise low-key race.

DePasquale is currently running alone in the primary, but an opponent may just pop up between now and January. Duke faces possible opposition from Pa. Rep. John Maher (R-Allegheny) and MSNBC pundit and school choice advocate Joe Watkins. Wagner is term limited.