Rinke Joins James Craig and Tudor Dixon in Pledging to Uphold Michigan’s 1931 Near Total Abortion Ban Should Roe v. Wade Be Overturned – The Most Restrictive Anti-Choice Law in America
On a recent appearance on Steve Gruber’s radio show, Kevin Rinke made an out-of-touch commitment to enforce Michigan’s extreme ban on abortion. Rinke said that if Roe was overturned, a state law that “prohibits abortion” would go into effect, and pledged that “as governor, I’m going to enforce that law of the land.” Rinke’s extreme anti-choice statement is below:
- “Personally, I’m pro life. If the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, what falls back is the state constitution which happens to prohibit abortion. And if that’s the law of the land, then as governor, I’m going to enforce that law of the land.”
Michigan’s law criminalizes abortion, makes felons out of reproductive health care providers, and provides no exceptions for rape or incest. Anti-choice advocates have touted the law as the most restrictive in the country.
Republican gubernatorial candidates understand that Michigan’s next governor would be the last line of defense in the fight for reproductive rights. However like Rinke, many are pledging to strip access to abortion and take Michigan backwards should they be elected:
- Tudor Dixon has offered her 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.
- James Craig pledged to protect Michigan’s anti-choice law 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.”
Conversely, Governor Whitmer has been a staunch advocate for abortion rights, calling on the legislature to repeal the 1931 bill. She struck down $16 million in funding for anti-abortion measures from Michigan’s budget. Whitmer’s strong leadership on this issue has prompted extremist anti-choice groups with missions to “end abortion” like Susan B. Anthony List to spend $200,000 on ads spewing false attacks of her record.
MDP spokesperson Rodericka Applewhaite issued the following statement:
“Add out-of-touch millionaire and used Toyota salesman Kevin Rinke to the ever-growing list of gubernatorial Republicans committed to stripping reproductive rights from Michigan women and families. Like Tudor Dixon and James Craig, Rinke’s pledge to enforce this extreme 1931 law – that makes no exceptions for rape or incest – is dangerous. Michiganders deserve better, which is why Governor Whitmer has been doing everything in her power to strike this near-total abortion ban from the record.”
