Gubernatorial candidate Garrett Soldano stated that women who are raped should not be able to have abortions because “God put them in this moment” and it would make them “heroic.” Excerpt below:
Garrett Soldano: “What we must start to focus on is not only to defend the DNA when it’s created, but however, how about we start inspiring women in the culture, to let them understand and know how heroic they are, and how unbelievable that they are, that God put them in this moment, and they don’t know that little baby inside them, may be the next president.”
After the comments inspired an avalanche of negative headlines, Soldano took to Twitter multiple times to reinforce his dangerous attack on women, eventually equating the horrific criminal act of rape to a “sacred” source of life by saying “the value of life is not based upon the occasion of its conception, but the sacredness of its essence.”
Additionally, Soldano has already pledged to force a draconian agenda on Michigan women and families. He’s referred to himself as “unapologetically pro-life” and suggested that fake crisis pregnancy centers that use manipulative tactics to push an anti-choice agenda should receive taxpayer funding.
Read more below:
The Detroit News: Garrett Soldano Argues Against Abortion in Situations Involving Rape
MLive: Garrett Soldano Opposes Abortion for Rape Victims, Says He’ll ‘Protect DNA’ as Governor
Michigan Advance: GOP Gov. Candidate Garrett Soldano: Rape Victims Must ‘Protect the DNA’ By Giving Birth
Deadline Detroit: This Republican Candidate for Michigan Governor Urges Rape Victims to be ‘Heroic’ And Give Birth
The Washington Post: Mich. GOP Governor Candidate Said Rape Victims Shouldn’t Have Abortions: ‘Baby Inside Them May be the Next President’
NBC News: Michigan GOP Governor Candidate Says Rape Victims Shouldn’t Have Abortions, Baby Might be ‘Next President’
MSNBC: Another GOP Candidate Struggles to Talk About Pregnancies From Rape
Washington Examiner: Republican Candidate for Michigan Governor Sparks Abortion Controversy
People: Mich. Candidate Says He Opposes Abortion After Rape: ‘That Little Baby … May be the Next President’
Talking Points Memo: GOP Candidate Argues Pregnant Rape Survivors Should be ‘Inspired’ by Situation ‘God Put Them In’
Taegan Goddard’s Political Wire: GOP Candidate Says Rape Victims Shouldn’t Get Abortions
Huff Post: GOP Gov. Candidate: Rape Victims Shouldn’t Get Abortions Because Fetus Could Become POTUS
Newsweek: GOP Candidate Condemns Abortion for Rape Victims, Says Fetus Could Be ‘Next President’
Heartland Signal: Michigan GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Says Life Begins at DNA, ‘Even Before The Heartbeat’
Raw Story: Michigan GOP Candidate: Rape Victims Shouldn’t Get Abortions Because ‘God Put Them in This Moment’ to Give Birth
The Recount: ICYMI: Michigan Gubernatorial Candidate Garrett Soldano (R) Said of Women Who Are Raped: “God Put Them In This Moment.”
Wonkette: Is There a Michigan Crazy Person Who ISN’T Running Against Gretchen Whitmer?
The Daily Beast: Wannabe Michigan Guv Offers ‘Sickening’ Argument Against Abortion for Rape Victims
Daily Dot: GOP Candidate On Why He Opposes Abortion After Rape—‘That Little Baby…May be the Next President’
LGBTQ Nation: Michigan GOP Governor Candidate Says Rape Victims Shouldn’t Have Abortion Since it Was God’s Plan
Daily Mail: Republican Candidate for Michigan Governor Says Victims of Rape Shouldn’t Get Abortions Because ‘They Were Put in the Moment By God and the Fetus Could Become President’
MDP spokesperson Rodericka Applewhaite issued the following statement:
“Let’s not mince words. Anti-choice extremist Garrett Soldano is calling for forced pregnancy on women that have already suffered the trauma of rape. Wrapping that in some mangled form of heroism doesn’t make the crime any easier for its victims to swallow, but it communicates quite loudly to Michigan women just how detrimental a Soldano governorship could be to their mental and physical health and well-being. We have no doubt this kind of backwards and unbelievably callous stance on reproductive rights would be resoundingly rejected at the ballot box.”
