Garrett Soldano has been under heavy fire this week for saying that women who became pregnant by rape should be forced to bring it to term because “God put them in this moment” and it would make them “heroic,” then equating the horrific crime to a “sacred” source of life.
When asked for a response, James Craig gave a full-throated endorsement of the idea that rape victims should not have access to abortion, landing him squarely the wrong side of this critical issue for Michigan women and families during an interview with WXMI. Exchange below:
AARON PARSEGHIAN (WXMI): One of your opponents, Garrett Soldano, is catching a lot of heat for essentially saying rape victims should not get abortions, because the baby might be the next president. What do you think about those comments?
JAMES CRAIG: Wow, I didn’t know it was to that extent. You know, I’m pro-life. And certainly, if God forbid, a woman is a victim of rape, we have resources to take care of that child if that woman decides that she’s incapable and unwilling to do so. I’m pro-life and I stand firm on that. But I don’t understand the comment he would make– that if that person can be the president of the United States. And I think the only time that the issue would be a concern is if the baby’s life was in jeopardy, the mother’s life was in jeopardy. Then, some decisions have to be made by a medical professional. But I’m pro-life.
PARSEGHIAN: And so for clarification, you say you’re pro life. But what about in, you know, cases of rape or incest?
CRAIG: I’m still pro life.
This level of anti-choice extremism is nothing new for Craig. Back in September, he pledged to employ whatever means necessary to ensure that a severely restrictive Michigan law from 1931, that criminalizes abortion and makes reproductive health care providers felons, stays in place. Should Roe v. Wade get struck down, Michigan would immediately revert to this draconian law, making it the most restrictive abortion law in America.
When asked to comment on this revelation, Craig’s campaign doubled-down on his support for the law, stating that he “is unapologetically pro-life and opposes liberal efforts for abortion on demand, late term abortions, and partial birth abortions.”
MDP spokesperson Rodericka Applewhaite issued the following statement:
“James Craig just gave a masterclass on the rampant anti-choice extremism burning through the entire gubernatorial field. Michiganders face real and present danger with either of them in charge stripping reproductive rights away from women and families across Michigan as they push their dangerous agenda to see the dormant 1931 ban back on the books.”
