The leading GOP candidates for Minnesota governor have pledged to ban abortion outright, with no exceptions for victims of rape or incest
ST. PAUL, MN — All of the leading GOP candidates for governor have pledged to ban abortion in Minnesota if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade this summer, whether through appointing anti-choice judges that would overturn Doe v. Gomez, new legislation, or supporting amendments to the Minnesota constitution.
Today, Monday, May 2, the Walz-Flanagan campaign released the following statement after a draft Supreme Court opinion leaked indicating that at least five Republican-appointed justices are poised to do exactly that.
“The leading GOP candidates for governor have pledged to ban abortion outright, with no exceptions for victims of rape or incest,” said Walz-Flanagan campaign manager Nichole Johnson. “If this ruling holds, the governor’s office will be the last line of defense for reproductive rights in Minnesota. When the Republican candidates for governor say that they will end reproductive rights in our state, Minnesotans should take them at their word.”
Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan have been staunch supporters of protecting reproductive rights in Minnesota. Gov. Walz has pledged to veto an abortion ban if one is sent to his desk.
SCOTT JENSEN
Scott Jensen, when asked whether he would merely push to restrict a woman’s right to choose or whether he would push for an “outright ban,” Jensen answered that he supported an outright ban on all abortions. “I would try to ban abortion,” said Jensen. He continued, “There is no reason for us to be having abortions going on.”
Jensen’s statement affirms his long record of anti-choice votes at state Legislature. Jensen has repeatedly bragged about receiving a 100% rating from the anti-choice organization Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL) – which even supports abortion bans without exceptions for victims of rape and incest. Jensen has said on the campaign trail that he would rubberstamp their agenda and “sign anything that they [MCCL] said that we should do.”
Jensen also has chosen an anti-choice zealot, Matt Birk, as his running mate. Birk has said that “After the KKK, [Planned Parenthood] is the most racist organization in America.” In 2013, after the Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl, Birk famously refused to go to the White House because President Obama was pro-choice.
PAUL GAZELKA
Paul Gazelka has voted for and co-sponsored several anti-choice bills during his time in the Legislature and has also received a 100% voting record from the anti-choice organization MCCL. Like his fellow candidates, Gazelka has promised to appoint judges and take action to overturn or reverse Doe v. Gomez, the Minnesota State Supreme Court ruling that protects the right to choose at a state level in Minnesota. And Gazelka signaled support for a Texas-style abortion ban that would allow for bounty-style lawsuits against providers who offer women safe access to abortion.
KENDALL QUALLS
Kendall Qualls has described himself as “100% pro-life.” Qualls has called abortion in the United States “genocide” and has said that he will push for “creative” ways to defund Planned Parenthood. In his failed 2020 congressional campaign, Qualls was endorsed by the extremely anti-choice organization Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, an organization which even supports abortion bans without exceptions for victims of rape and incest.
###
