LANSING — As the Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments surrounding two cases that directly challenge Roe v. Wade including the constitutionality of the disastrous Texas abortion ban – Michiganders are also facing a threat from GOP candidates for governor like Tudor Dixon and James Craig who have taken extreme anti-choice positions.
In fact, Michigan has a near-total abortion ban from 1931 still on the books that would go back into effect should Roe be overturned. The law criminalizes abortion, makes felons out of reproductive health care providers, and provides no exceptions for rape or incest – the most restrictive law in the country according to Right to Life of Michigan.
This means that Michigan’s governor could be the last line of defense in the fight for reproductive rights for the first time since 1973. And instead of taking up the mantle to preserve the reproductive rights of Michigan women and families Tudor Dixon and James Craig would take Michigan backwards.
Dixon has offered her full-throated, unequivocal support for the 1931 law and added that as governor she would support any anti-choice legislation that hit her desk without regard for rape or incest exceptions.
Craig also pledged to see the anti-choice law back in effect by whatever means necessary, stating that he “is unapologetically pro-life and opposes liberal efforts for abortion on demand, late term abortions, and partial birth abortions.”
In contrast, Governor Whitmer immediately snapped into action to protect Michiganders after the Texas news broke, calling on the legislature to repeal the 1931 bill at the beginning of this month. She additionally struck down $16 million in funding for anti-abortion measures from Michigan’s budget.
MDP spokesperson Rodericka Applewhaite issued the following statement:
“As a conservative majority Supreme Court hears the first oral arguments to dismantle Roe v. Wade today, the right to choose hangs in the balance. What’s worse, Michigan still has a dangerous law on the books that would immediately gut the reproductive rights of women and families in the state – and anti-choice extremists Tudor Dixon and James Craig are more than happy to make that a reality. Thankfully, Governor Whitmer has been an unapologetic advocate for reproductive rights and is prepared to be the last line of defense to preserve reproductive health care privacy.”
