State of New Hampshire secondary Archives: on Abortion


Andy Martin: Committed to sanctity of life, within the rule of law

Other than making promises they can't keep to pass abortion legislation, congress has very little to do with the abortion debate. I am committed to the sanctity of life but I am also committed to the rule of law.
Source: WMUR.com on 2020 New Hampshire Senate race Nov 1, 2018

Bill O`Brien: Led override of veto of partial-birth abortion ban

O'Brien presided over the House when it had an anti-abortion majority in 2011-2012. The House during that window passed a partial-birth abortion ban, a ban on abortions after 20 weeks, a requirement of a 24-hour waiting period before receiving an abortion, and a proposal to prohibit the use of public funds for abortions. The GOP-led Senate at the time killed three of those four bills, but O'Brien got the Legislature to override then-Gov. John Lynch's veto of the partial-birth abortion ban.
Source: Manchester Union-Leader on 2020 New Hampshire Senate race Nov 10, 2019

Bill O`Brien: Would ban abortion in all cases, including rape and incest

O'Brien told WMUR he supported the Alabama law that would ban abortion in all cases, including rape and incest. "I believe in the sanctity of life. I'm not willing to say that any life is a life that ought to be done away with," O'Brien said. "It horrifies me that a Supreme Court would say yes to unborn death. But put that aside, it's not the law of the land. They should be interpreting the law of the land. They made it up. We have originalists on the court now. We should have more of them."
Source: Manchester Union-Leader on 2020 New Hampshire Senate race Nov 10, 2019

Bob Smith: Human life begins at conception

Question topic: Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.

Smith: Strongly Agree

Question topic: Should abortion be allowed under extenuating circumstances? If so, what circumstances?

Smith: NO.

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 New Hampshire Senate race Jul 2, 2014

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

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

Chris Sununu: Disagrees with states having no exception abortion bans

During an interview on CNN's State of the Union, host Jake Tapper asked the governor: "What's your response when you hear someone like South Dakota Republican Governor Kristi Noem, who said...that her state's law would make no exception for a young girl who got pregnant after being raped?"

"I don't agree with that at all. I just don't," Sununu responded. "Governor Noem and the folks of South Dakota have to reconcile that."

Source: Newsweek magazine on 2022 New Hampshire Gubernatorial race Jul 10, 2022

Chuck Morse: Backs restrictive abortion ban; I'm a pro-life Republican

Republicans wrote a ban on abortions after 24 weeks that requires mandatory ultrasounds before a pregnancy is terminated. The language in the budget made no exception for rape or incest, or for fetal viability, and included criminal and civil penalties-- including prison sentences--for health care providers who conduct abortions after 24 weeks. Morse made no apologies. "I'm a pro-life Republican. I always have been," Morse said. Morse said the ban was "what the people of New Hampshire wanted.
Source: Concord Monitor on 2022 New Hampshire Senate race Jan 28, 2022

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

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

Corky Messner: Ban abortion after 20 weeks; no government funding

Q: Keep abortion legal or ban?

Corky Messner: Mostly ban. Ban after 20 weeks. Supports rule barring U.S. support for health care NGOs that in any part of their work provide, refer or promote abortion.

Jeanne Shaheen: Legal. Worked to block Planned Parenthood cuts and to protect access to birth control, cancer screenings, and other health services.

Source: CampusElect survey of 2020 New Hampshire Senate race Sep 30, 2020

Dan Feltes: Supports Planned Parenthood; opposes parental notification

Dan is strongly pro-choice. Dan has been a supporter of Planned Parenthood. He has contributed financially and helped with fundraisers for Planned Parenthood. Dan and his wife, Erin, hosted for several weeks a Planned Parenthood volunteer intern working in the 2012 election cycle.

Dan opposes unnecessary regulations and laws interfering with the reproductive rights of women. Dan would support a repeal of the Tea Party-driven parental notification law, which did not provide a clear exception in cases of rape, incest, or abuse in the household. While Dan respects the views of everyone and their right to express them, he does not believe people have the right to interfere with the difficult and private medical decisions of women through intimidation tactics. Dan supports efforts that seek to prevent women from facing intimidation and threats outside women's health clinics when exercising their right to choose.

Source: 2020 New Hampshire governor campaign website DanFeltesNH.com Jan 1, 2014

Don Bolduc: Pro-life excepting rape, incest, life of mother

Bolduc told WMUR that he is pro-life on abortion and favors abortion only in cases of "rape, incest and the health of the mother."
Source: WMUR 9-News on 2020 New Hampshire Senate race May 5, 2020

Gloria Bromell Tinubu: Against funding Planned Parenthood

"Well, first of all, I fully support the president in his Planned Parenthood view. I do not support funding Planned Parenthood as it is today because money is going to abortions, 330,000 abortions," Bolduc said at a Hollis GOP meeting. "Planned Parenthood is not the way we need to go. It's not the way the president wants to go. It's not the way I will support; you know, surveys show it's not the way New Hampshire wants to go."
Source: Manchester Union-Leader on 2020 New Hampshire Senate race Jul 19, 2019

Jeanne Shaheen: Opposed the Blunt Amendment: require birth control coverage

Sparks flew [at the Senate debate] on the topic of immigration and border security. "The border is secure when people don't come across it," Brown said to the applause of supporters after Todd asked him to define a secure border.

Shaheen attacked Brown's record on abortion rights; Brown, while senator for Massachusetts, supported the Blunt Amendment, which would have allowed any employer with moral objections to opt out of requiring to cover birth control in 2012.

Source: NECN-sponsored 2014 New Hampshire Senate debate Oct 21, 2014

Jeanne Shaheen: Shaheen amendment provides reproductive care in foreign aid

A coalition of 44 national pro-life leaders is objecting to Shaheen's amendment to a bipartisan spending bill. The bill provides $665 million for "family planning and reproductive health care" and includes funds for the U.N. Population Fund, which has backed China's one-child, forced-abortion policy. The pro-life leaders say Shaheen's amendment would "undermine" President Trump's pro-life policies overseas that serve to block American taxpayer dollars from supporting abortion in other countries.
Source: Breitbart News on 2020 New Hampshire Senate race Oct 29, 2019

Jim Rubens: Oppose partial birth abortion; support parental notification

Source: 2016 New Hampshire Senate campaign website JimRubens.com Apr 1, 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

Karen Testerman: No taxpayer dollars to terminate human life in the womb

Family is not a choice. It is a God given right and duty. We have four grown children and 11 grandchildren. They are precious to us and we cannot fathom why people like Shaheen would condone killing a child in the womb.

Estimates are that 1.5 million children are killed in the womb every year. Taxpayer dollars should not be used to terminate the human life of American citizens. Planned Parenthood kills a child every 94 seconds. This is the same organization that praises and funds Shaheen. Do the calculation. Imagine how 60 million more tax paying citizens could impact and maintain programs like Social Security. How many new businesses and jobs could they create? I hear some say these additional citizens would be a burden on our economy. Only a person (like Shaheen) who expects people to depend on the government for their sustenance would believe this way.

Source: 2014 New Hampshire Senate website, KarenTesterman.net Dec 1, 2013

Kelly Ayotte: Make birth control pills available without prescription

A pair of Republican lawmakers want women to be able to purchase birth control pills and other forms of contraceptives without a prescription, a move opposed by physicians' groups. Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) have introduced the Allowing Greater Access to Safe and Effective Contraception Act that would require drug companies to start the process of selling their products over the counter. The bill would also waive any FDA fees associated with the change.

The idea is opposed by Planned Parenthood and American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Both groups point out that under the Affordable Care Act, insurance plans are required to cover all FDA-approved forms of birth control. If birth control pills and other contraceptives are available over the counter and not covered by insurance, prices could go up and access down.

Source: The Huntsville (AL) Times on 2016 New Hampshire Senate race May 27, 2015

Mitt Romney: States shouldn't ban contraception; and no state wants to

Q: [to Romney] Sen. Santorum has been very clear in his belief that the Supreme Court was wrong when it decided that a right to privacy was embedded in the Constitution. And following from that, he believes that states have the right to ban contraception. Now I should add that he said he's not recommending that states do that.

SANTORUM: No, let's be clear. We're talking about the 10th Amendment and the right of states to act.

Q: Gov. Romney, do you believe that states have the right to ban contraception? Or is that trumped by a constitutional right to privacy?

ROMNEY: I can't imagine a state banning contraception. I can't imagine the circumstances where a state would want to do so, and if I were a governor of a state or a state legislature, I would totally and completely oppose any effort to ban contraception.

SANTORUM: The Supreme Court created through a penumbra of rights a new right to privacy that was not in the Constitution. I believe it should be overturned.

Source: WMUR 2012 GOP New Hampshire debate Jan 7, 2012

Molly Kelly: Supports abortion rights and is backed by Planned Parenthood

Kelly has repeatedly declared that "as governor I will not allow women's reproductive rights to go backwards. And I promise that all women, regardless of income, will have access to safe legal abortion." She also has highlighted that she's always stood with Planned Parenthood and in recent days has touted her endorsement by the political wing of the powerful national group that provides reproductive health care.
Source: Concord Monitor on 2018 New Hampshire Gubernatorial race Sep 3, 2018

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

Rick Santorum: States have the right to ban contraception, but shouldn't

Q: [to Romney] Sen. Santorum has been very clear in his belief that the Supreme Court was wrong when it decided that a right to privacy was embedded in the Constitution. And following from that, he believes that states have the right to ban contraception. Now I should add that he said he's not recommending that states do that.

SANTORUM: No, let's be clear. We're talking about the 10th Amendment and the right of states to act.

Q: Gov. Romney, do you believe that states have the right to ban contraception? Or is that trumped by a constitutional right to privacy?

ROMNEY: I can't imagine a state banning contraception. I would totally and completely oppose any effort to ban contraception.

SANTORUM: The Supreme Court created through a penumbra of rights a new right to privacy that was not in the Constitution. It created a right through boot-strapping, through creating something that wasn't there. I believe it should be overturned.

Source: WMUR 2012 GOP New Hampshire debate Jan 7, 2012

Ron Paul: Right to privacy is explicit, but not for contraception

Q: [to Paul] Sen. Santorum believes that the Supreme Court was wrong when it decided that a right to privacy was embedded in the Constitution. And following from that, he believes that states have the right to ban contraception, although he's not recommending that states do that.

SANTORUM: The Supreme Court created through a penumbra of rights a new right to privacy that was not in the Constitution.

PAUL: No, I think the 4th Amendment is very clear. It is explicit in our privacy. You can't go into anybody's house without a search warrant. This is why the Patriot Act is wrong, because you have a right of privacy by the 4th Amendment. As far as selling contraceptives, the Interstate Commerce Clause protects this; it was originally written not to impede trade between the states, but it was written to facilitate trade between the states. So if it's not illegal to import birth control pills from one state to the next, it would be legal to sell birth control pills in that state.

Source: WMUR 2012 GOP New Hampshire debate Jan 7, 2012

Scott Brown: OpEd: Not a reliable vote on abortion rights

At the gathering here, N.H. State Representative Daniel Tamburello said he liked Brown personally but hesitated when asked whether he would support him. "I'm a pretty strong pro-life guy, and that's usually a sticking point for me in the primaries," Rep. Tamburello said. When campaigning in Massachusetts, Brown said he favored abortion rights, although activists disputed the claim, saying his was not a reliable vote. Nonetheless, the perception here is that he supports abortion rights.
Source: New York Times on 2014 New Hampshire Senate race Dec 11, 2013

Steve Marchand: Proudly pro-choice

This is a guy--me--who's a lifelong Democrat but has been praised by editorial boards from the Portsmouth Herald to the New Hampshire Union Leader for being fiscally responsible and being really smart with how we raise and how we spend money. And yet I'm also somebody who's proudly pro-choice, pro same-sex marriage, transgender rights, a strong environmentalist, anti-casino gambling. You can do that and you can be fiscally responsible.
Source: N.H. Public Radio on 2018 New Hampshire gubernatorial race Apr 24, 2017

Tom Sherman: Supports a full range of reproductive health care services

Dr. Sherman supports a full range of reproductive health care services. As Governor, Dr. Sherman will be a fierce advocate for repealing Chris Sununu's cruel abortion ban, which broke with decades of bipartisan respect for a women's rights to work with her doctor to make her own health care decisions.
Source: 2022 New Hampshire Governor campaign web DrTomSherman.com Mar 28, 2022

Don Bolduc: FactCheck: Claims NH is pro-life but voters 71% pro-choice

The retired brigadier general railed [Democratic Sen. Maggie] Hassan for her focus on the right to an abortion, which was taken away with the U.S. Supreme Court's reversal of the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling earlier this year, instead of the economy and inflation rates that are at the highest levels in decades. "She just wants to hang on with dear life. Well, guess what? Your views are not consistent with the average Granite Stater, number one. Number two, get over it. This is about the economy, fiscal responsibility and the safety and security of this nation, which you cannot defend," Bolduc said.

In a recent poll from the St. Anselm College Survey Center of nearly 2,000 registered voters in New Hampshire, 71% identified as pro-choice, 25% described themselves as pro-life and 3% were unsure. When it comes to the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of the Roe vs. Wade decision, 38% said they support the ruling, 58% oppose it and 5% are unsure.

Source: WMUR FactCheck on 2022 New Hampshire Senate race Sep 15, 2022

Maggie Hassan: Right to abortion in jeopardy if GOP controls Congress

[Republican opponent Don Bolduc] railed Hassan for her focus on the right to an abortion. "She just wants to hang on with dear life. Well, guess what? Your views are not consistent with the average Granite Stater, number one. Number two, get over it. This is about the economy," Bolduc said.

Hassan has campaigned on the notion that the right to abortion is in jeopardy in all 50 states if Republicans gain control of Congress. Bolduc, though, said if elected, he would not support a 15-week abortion ban recently proposed by Sen. Lindsey Graham. "I would vote no on that because the federal government is way too much in our business. Granite Staters will be better served by working through their legislature to address that issue, not the federal government," Bolduc said.

The Hassan campaign released a digital ad on Monday that focuses on Bolduc's "get over it" comment.

Source: WMUR FactCheck on 2022 New Hampshire Senate race Sep 15, 2022

  • The above quotations are from State of New Hampshire Politicians: secondary Archives.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Abortion.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
2016 Presidential contenders on Abortion:
  Republicans:
Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
Carly Fiorina(CA)
Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
Gov.George Pataki(NY)
Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Scott Walker(WI)
Democrats:
Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

2016 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
Robert Steele(L-NY)
Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023