2016 NH Governor's race: on Abortion


Colin Van Ostern: Restore funding for Planned Parenthood

On the state Executive Council, Colin led the fight to successfully restore funding for preventive care like birth control, cancer screenings, and annual exams at New Hampshire's Planned Parenthood health centers after they were defunded in 2011, and he has vowed to work tirelessly against recent political cuts. In 2015, he was named the state "Champion for Choice" by NARAL Pro-Choice New Hampshire.
Source: 2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial website VanOstern.com Jul 20, 2016

Chris Sununu: Take a pause in Planned Parenthood funding

Following is a letter written by N.H. Executive Councilors Colin Van Ostern & Chris Pappas to Chris Sununu and the other Executive Councilors requesting that they join in restoring Planned Parenthood funding in N.H.:

For six months, New Hampshire women and families have been deprived of critical funding for basic medical care; care that was budgeted for by legislators but denied when the Executive Council voted 3-2 in August to end contracts for Planned Parenthood health centers.

When the council voted narrowly against these funds in August, Councilor Sununu stated he was looking to "just take a pause," and the only objection cited by either Councilors Sununu or Kenney was the then-new videos which have since been debunked (and their makers indicted).

The questions raised in the previous vote against these funds have been resolved, but the denial of funds continues. It's time to move forward together by setting aside political considerations and doing what is right.

Source: Portsmouth Herald OpEd on 2016 New Hampshire governor race Jan 30, 2016

Colin Van Ostern: Restore Planned Parenthood funding; they had no wrongdoing

For six months, New Hampshire women and families have been deprived of critical funding for basic medical care; care that was budgeted for by legislators but denied when the Executive Council voted 3-2 in August to end contracts for Planned Parenthood health centers. To be clear:The questions raised in the previous vote against these funds have been resolved, but the denial of funds by the council continues to adversely impact public health and the lives of thousands of Granite Staters. It's time to move forward together by setting aside political considerations and doing what is right for the roughly 13,000 New Hampshire women and families who relied on this care last year.
Source: Portsmouth Herald OpEd on 2016 New Hampshire governor race Jan 30, 2016

Jon Lavoie: Pro-choice because it's none of my business

Contrary to what the media and the presidential candidates want you to believe, the topic of abortion is not completely a national issue. It is very much a State to State decision. In my opinion, personal or religious beliefs on this issue should not be made into law. So as Governor, what will be my stance on the topic? "It's none of my business." Now I'll explain:

Why should myself or anyone else have a say in what others do in their personal lives? This can't be an easy decision to make for most people, and in the end, they alone will have to come to terms with it and live with their decision.

Am I pro-life or pro-choice? In a black and white world, I suppose I am a Republican who tends to lean a bit to the left on this issue. If that makes me pro-choice, then ok. In a perfect world, I would wish that there was no need for abortion, but this world is not perfect. There are instances where people are going to make this choice, and it's simply none of my business.

Source: 2016 New Hampshire Governor campaign website, JonLavoie.org Nov 4, 2015

Chris Sununu: Voted to restrict funding to local Planned Parenthood

After Sununu's candidacy announcement, New Hampshire Democrats quickly issued a statement focused on Sununu's funding vote: "Chris Sununu voted to restrict access to birth control and cancer screenings for thousands of women who rely on local Planned Parenthood health centers and opposed the successful bipartisan expansion of health care to over 41,000 New Hampshire citizens," said the New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman.
Source: Union-Leader on 2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial race Sep 7, 2015

Ray Metcalfe: Supports reproductive rights & stem-cell research

    Q: Name 25 contentious issues which voters can depend on you to vote for?
    A:
  1. Stem-cell research
  2. Universal health care
  3. Reproductive rights
  4. Keeping promises to veterans
  5. Civil rights
  6. Privacy rights
  7. Workers rights
  8. The Bill of Rights
  9. Gun rights
  10. Fair trade as opposed to free trade
  11. Employee's free choice
  12. Retraining for displaced workers
  13. Quality public education
  14. Affordable higher education
  15. Scientific research
  16. Space exploration
  17. Addressing global warming
  18. Ending the war on drugs
  19. Ending corporate welfare
  20. Repealing the Patriot Act
  21. Power cost equalization
  22. A complete and modernizing overhaul of America's transportation and communication systems
  23. Reversing Ted Stevens' privatization of Alaska's fishing rights
  24. A judicial system that places a higher value on dispensing justice and getting it right than it places on winning
  25. Ending our current tax system and replacing it with a progressive tax system
Source: 2016 New Hampshire gubernatorial website Metcalfe4Senate.com Nov 1, 2008

  • The above quotations are from 2016 New Hampshire 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)
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org!
Click for details -- or send donations to:
1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140
E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org
(We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Dec 09, 2018