During a stop on his botched campaign reboot tour that took place last week, Republican gubernatorial candidate James Craig was recorded saying he would do “whatever I can” to ensure that Michigan does not repeal abortion legislation more restrictive than the six-week ban that was allowed to go into effect in Texas.
As the Supreme Court prepares to hear a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade later this year, new reporting from Detroit Metro Times details Craig’s commitment to seeing a currently dormant Michigan law from 1931 immediately go back into effect should Roe v. Wade be overturned. In an audio recording, Craig is heard saying he would block any legislation seeking to repeal the law should it reach his desk as governor.
Earlier this month, MLive reported that the law “criminalizes abortion as manslaughter and states that providers who carry out abortions shall be guilty of a felony” — steps that even Texas’ extremely restrictive law doesn’t take.
MDP spokesperson Rodericka Applewhaite issued the following statement:
“James Craig just said in no uncertain terms that he would do everything in his power to ensure that abortion is criminalized as manslaughter and make felons out of healthcare providers. Thanks to a 1931 Michigan law that Craig is committed to keeping on the books, that’s exactly the hostile environment women and families would immediately face should Roe v. Wade get overturned. Already, the Supreme Court is set to hear a direct challenge to this crucial case at the end of the year. For the Detroit Dodger to choose this as the first clear answer of his candidacy proves that he’s been refusing to answer questions in the hopes that it would hide his extremist views from Michiganders.”
Read excerpts from Detroit Metro Times below and read the full report here:
Detroit Metro Times: Secret Recording Captures Gubernatorial Candidate James Craig Taking Extreme Position on Abortion
By Steve Neavling
Republican gubernatorial candidate James Craig said if elected he would block any attempt by Democrats to repeal Michigan’s 90-year-old ban on abortion, according to a secret audio recording obtained by Metro Times.
Craig made the remark Thursday while talking with supporters after his speech at a campaign kickoff event in Marquette.
The 1931 law, which made it a felony to perform an abortion, was nullified following Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court ruling that women have a constitutional right to terminate their pregnancies. But abortion-rights advocates are worried that the ruling may be in jeopardy after the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision earlier this month to let a Texas ban on most abortions remain in effect.
Democrats, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, are calling on lawmakers to repeal the ban in case Roe v. Wade is overturned. In February, state Sen. Erika Geiss, D-Taylor, introduced a bill to repeal the abortion ban in Michigan.
In the recording […] Craig is asked if he would stop Democrats “from undoing the law that makes abortion illegal in Michigan.”
“I will do whatever I can — I’m pro-life,” Craig responded.
Asked again if he supports blocking Democrats from “repealing that law,” Craig said, “Yes.” […]
If the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade and Michigan’s law ban goes back into effect, women could be imprisoned for terminating their pregnancy, abortion-rights advocates point out. […]
Craig’s campaign didn’t immediately respond to Metro Times for a comment.
