2024 WI Senate race: on Abortion

Eric Hovde: Voters can respect life while safeguarding individual rights

Eric Hovde: Supported overturning Roe v. Wade

Eric Hovde (R): Mostly ban. In 2012 "totally opposed" legalized abortion. Supported overturning Roe v. Wade. Now supports a statewide referendum on abortion ban after 3 months. "That's more than enough reasonable time for a woman to make a choice." (The Wisconsin constitution bars referendums.)

Tammy Baldwin (D): Legal. "I am pro-choice.... Women should decide." Sponsored the 2023 Women's Health Protection Act to ensure national access to abortion; would ban state restrictions earlier in pregnancy--and later if the mother's health is at risk.

Eric Hovde: Unconscionable to terminate healthy baby born alive

Baldwin: A woman's right and freedoms should not depend upon her zip code. We have services accessible in 3 out of our 72 counties. That means 69 counties, there's no access. Harrowing things are happening to women in this state. I've talked to women who face the risk of sepsis and near death before they can get the services that they needed. That's why I'm so proud to lead the Women's Health Protection Act which would restore it nationwide. My opponent has said that he is 100% opposed to abortion rights.

Eric Hovde: Woman's right to choose but only in first trimester

Hovde said he wants to see "less abortions," but has "always agreed with exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother."

"And, I agree that early on in a woman's pregnancy, she should have a right to choose," he said. "But there comes a point where a baby can be born healthy and alive that it's unconscionable ... thinking of terminating that child's life."

He declined to say how many weeks that should be, but pointed to countries that ban abortion "somewhere in the first trimester... or in the very beginning of the second trimester." He also pushed back on the idea that a national abortion ban could be enacted.

Tammy Baldwin: A woman's rights shouldn't depend on her zip code or state

Hovde: We as a state should resolve this in a common and compassionate approach. I believe in the beauty of life. I agree with exceptions for rape, incest, and the health of the mother. I think women should have a right to decide early on in their pregnancy. Senator Baldwin, you have passed or pushed to allow abortion to happen up to the point of delivery. where a healthy baby can be born alive and be terminated. To me, that is unconscionable.