2015 LA Governor's race: on Abortion


David Vitter: I'm endorsed by pro-life groups; my rivals not 100% pro-life

Vitter repeatedly references endorsements from several anti-abortion groups while campaigning. Though each major candidate for governor opposes abortion, the issue still raises disputes in the race. Vitter criticized both Dardenne and Edwards in a recent debate, saying Edwards' votes for President Barack Obama undercut his claim of being anti-abortion and saying Dardenne has voted `six times for abortion and against life.` Vitter's campaign has hit Dardenne on the subject several times.

In response, Dardenne said he didn't vote to support abortion rights, but was scored poorly by Louisiana Right to Life because of votes as a state senator on several bills involving cloning and stem cell research. He said concerns were raised that the bills, which sought to ban human cloning, were too sweeping and could harm medical research. `I think it's a little misleading, not on the part of the scorers, but on Vitter's part, to not characterize me as pro-life,` Dardenne said.

Source: Okla. News on 2015 Louisiana Gubernatorial debate Oct 8, 2015

David Vitter: No exceptions for rape or incest victims

The four major candidates all oppose abortion, but they do differ on the exceptions they're willing to consider in their opposition to the procedure. All four men say they don't object to an abortion when a mother's life is in jeopardy. Angelle and Vitter don't support exceptions for rape or incest victims; Dardenne does. Edwards said he'd consider such exceptions if they were the `legislative will.`

Another difference of opinion involves term-limited Gov. Bobby Jindal's decision to block Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood, which doesn't provide abortions in Louisiana. All three Republicans say they support Jindal's decision. Edwards said there should be more investigation of claims that the organization was illegally profiting from fetal tissue sales, which Planned Parenthood denies. He also said Louisiana must make sure other health care locations are available to provide services before blocking Planned Parenthood from Medicaid.

Source: Okla. News on 2015 Louisiana Gubernatorial debate Oct 8, 2015

Jay Dardenne: Sweeping ban on human cloning would harm medical research

All four major contenders in the Louisiana governor's race oppose abortion, a popular stance in a state considered one of the most anti-abortion in the nation.

The three major Republican candidates--Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle, Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne and US Sen. David Vitter--describe their opposition to abortion as they campaign. Vitter criticized Dardenne in a recent debate, saying Dardenne has voted `six times for abortion and against life.` Vitter's campaign has hit Dardenne on the subject several times.

In response, Dardenne said he didn't vote to support abortion rights, but was scored poorly by Louisiana Right to Life because of votes as a state senator on several bills involving cloning & stem cell research. He said concerns were raised that the bills, which sought to ban human cloning, were too sweeping and could harm medical research. `I think it's a little misleading, not on the part of the scorers, but on Vitter's part, to not characterize me as pro-life,` Dardenne said.

Source: Okla. News on 2015 Louisiana Gubernatorial debate Oct 8, 2015

Jay Dardenne: Exceptions for rape & incest victims are ok

The four major candidates differ on the exceptions they're willing to consider in their opposition to the abortion procedure. All four men say they don't object to an abortion when a mother's life is in jeopardy. Angelle and Vitter don't support exceptions for rape or incest victims; Dardenne does. Edwards said he'd consider such exceptions if they were the `legislative will.`

Another difference of opinion involves term-limited Gov. Bobby Jindal's decision to block Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood, which doesn't provide abortions in Louisiana. All three Republicans say they support Jindal's decision. Edwards said there should be more investigation of claims that the organization was illegally profiting from fetal tissue sales, which Planned Parenthood denies. He also said Louisiana must make sure other health care locations are available to provide services before blocking Planned Parenthood from Medicaid.

Source: Okla. News on 2015 Louisiana Gubernatorial debate Oct 8, 2015

John Bel Edwards: Provide alternatives to Planned Parenthood before blocking

The four major candidates all oppose abortion, but they do differ on the exceptions they're willing to consider in their opposition to the procedure. All four men say they don't object to an abortion when a mother's life is in jeopardy. Angelle and Vitter don't support exceptions for rape or incest victims; Dardenne does. Edwards said he'd consider such exceptions if they were the `legislative will.`

Another difference of opinion involves term-limited Gov. Bobby Jindal's decision to block Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood, which doesn't provide abortions in Louisiana. All three Republicans say they support Jindal's decision. Edwards said there should be more investigation of claims that the organization was illegally profiting from fetal tissue sales, which Planned Parenthood denies. He also said Louisiana must make sure other health care locations are available to provide services before blocking Planned Parenthood from Medicaid.

Source: Okla. News on 2015 Louisiana Gubernatorial debate Oct 8, 2015

David Vitter: Supported by anti-abortion group Louisiana Right to Life

Vitter highlighted his support from the pro-gun National Rifle Association and the anti-abortion group Louisiana Right to Life and his opposition to the Common Core education standards, which, Angelle pointed out, Vitter previously supported. Several times, Vitter held up a campaign booklet and told viewers they could get more details by going to his campaign website. "I listen, I've stood up and I've fought for conservative Louisiana values," Vitter said. "I've produced results."
Source: Baton Rouge Advocate on 2015 Louisiana Gubernatorial debate Oct 1, 2015

David Vitter: Promote a positive culture of life

David is proudly pro-life and has a 100% voting record with Louisiana Right to Life and National Right to Life. He'll promote and lead a positive culture of life in Louisiana.
Source: 2015 Louisiana Governor campaign website, DavidVitter.com Aug 11, 2015

  • The above quotations are from 2015 Louisiana Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Abortion.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
Candidates and political leaders on Abortion:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R) 		Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R) 		Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Dec 07, 2018