Tonight in Warren, and as they’ve already done at every debate this cycle, gubernatorial Republicans just demonstrated how deep their anti-abortion extremism runs – and have become even more emboldened in a post-Roe v. Wade reality.
Michigan is now at risk of reverting back to a draconian and previously dormant law from 1931 that criminalizes abortion, makes felons out of reproductive health care providers, and provides no exceptions for rape or incest – one of the most hostile abortion bans in America.
Additionally, the Republican-controlled state legislature is considering highly punitive legislation to make the 1931 abortion ban immediately enforceable post Roe v. Wade and imprison providers for up to 20 years.
The return of this near-total ban has been enthusiastically anticipated by every Republican running for governor:
- A staunch supporter of the 1931 ban, calling it “a good law,” Tudor Dixon has plainly stated that she would be against all exceptions to abortion, including rape, incest, and when the health of the mother was at risk. Right to Life Michigan rewarded her anti-choice extremism with an endorsement.
- Kevin Rinke, who has erroneously claimed that abortion was “being used as birth control,” also made a dangerous commitment to enforce what he described as the “appropriate” 1931 ban on abortion that makes no exceptions for rape or incest as governor. He said that the Supreme Court “acted appropriately” by overturning Roe v. Wade after calling the leaked opinion ‘proper.’ Asked about enforcing additional bans on abortion, Rinke said “people maybe need to consider” the “choices” that leave them with unwanted pregnancies, including sexual assault. He later referred to pro-choice protests after the ruling as “unhinged.”
- Ryan Kelley said the 1931 abortion ban was a “great law” and said he would “absolutely uphold” it. He has called for the total reversal of Roe v. Wade, declared that reproductive freedom is “absolutely not a right,” and pledged to sign new anti-choice legislation eliminating exceptions for rape and incest and bans abortion beginning at conception.
- Garrett Soldano said he supported the 1931 ban “100 percent” and wants to outlaw Plan B. He stated that survivors of sexual assault should not be able to have abortions because “God put them in this moment” and it would make them “heroic.” 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.
- Ralph Rebandt similarly phrased the 1931 ban as an “incredible” law, using the debates he’s appeared at so far to push his extreme anti-choice pledge to outlaw all abortions with no exceptions, even when the life of the mother is at risk.
