2016 ND Governor's race: on Abortion


Rick Becker: Government's responsibility to protect human life

One of the sharper exchanges came over the issue of abortion. Candidates were asked if they would've signed the multiple pieces of abortion legislation signed by Gov. Dalrymple in 2013, some of which have been litigated in court and defended by Stenehjem's office since then.

Becker said he was pro-life and that it's the government's responsibility to protect human life. Stehehjem said he'd have signed the legislation and is pro-life. He also recognizes exceptions for rape and incest.

Source: Bismarck Tribune on 2016 North Dakota gubernatorial debate Mar 3, 2016

Wayne Stenehjem: Exceptions for rape & incest, but sign other pro-life bills

One of the sharper exchanges came over the issue of abortion. Candidates were asked if they would've signed the multiple pieces of abortion legislation signed by Gov. Dalrymple in 2013, some of which have been litigated in court and defended by Stenehjem's office since then.

Becker said he was pro-life and that it's the government's responsibility to protect human life. Stehehjem said he'd have signed the legislation and is pro-life. He also recognizes exceptions for rape and incest.

Burgum took a different tone, rejecting labeling sides and saying he'd prefer to put the issue to a vote of the people. "This is too important for any one person to vote on," Burgum said of signing abortion legislation.

Stenehjem latched on to Burgum's statement, saying the Legislature passes bills and it's up to the governor to act. "You have to make a decision," Stenehjem said.

Source: Bismarck Tribune on 2016 North Dakota gubernatorial debate Mar 3, 2016

Doug Burgum: Support a ban on abortions for things like gender selection

On abortion, Burgum told me that America before the landmark Roe vs. Wade decision was a "dangerous place for women." He also said he doesn't feel qualified to make a decision on when life begins. Had Burgum been governor, he would have vetoed all but one of the pro-life laws passed by the state Legislature in recent years. He supports the legislation that bans abortions for things like gender selection.
Source: Grand Forks Herald on 2016 North Dakota gubernatorial race Jan 24, 2016

  • The above quotations are from 2016 North Dakota 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 09, 2018