State of Florida Archives: on Abortion
Ross Spano:
Support 24 hour waiting period for abortion
Summary by The Florida Times-Union (6/10/15): Gov. Scott signed a measure that will require a 24-hour waiting period before women can have abortions. "This bill gives women an opportunity to reflect on a major decision that will have
lifelong effects, not just physically but mentally as well," said the Senate sponsor. The bill adds to an already-existing law that requires physicians performing abortions to provide information to women to obtain their consent. The information must be
provided in person to the women at least 24 hours before the procedures are performed. The bill includes exceptions for victims of rape, incest, domestic violence or human trafficking-but those victims can waive the 24-hour wait only if they can produce
police reports, restraining orders, or other documentation.Legislative Outcome: Passed House 77-41-2 on Apr/22/15; State Rep. Ross Spano voted YES; passed Senate 26-13-1 on Apr/24/15; signed by Gov. Scott on Jun/10/15.
Source: Florida Times-Union on legislative voting record HB633
Apr 22, 2015
Jared Moskowitz:
Oppose 24 hour waiting period for abortion
Summary by The Florida Times-Union (6/10/15): Gov. Scott signed a measure that will require a 24-hour waiting period before women can have abortions. "This bill gives women an opportunity to reflect on a major decision that will have
lifelong effects, not just physically but mentally as well," said the Senate sponsor. The bill adds to an already-existing law that requires physicians performing abortions to provide information to women to obtain their consent. The information must be
provided in person to the women at least 24 hours before the procedures are performed. The bill includes exceptions for victims of rape, incest, domestic violence or human trafficking-but those victims can waive the 24-hour wait only if they can produce
police reports, restraining orders, or other documentation.Legislative Outcome: Passed House 77-41-2 on Apr/22/15; State Rep. Jared Moskowitz voted NO; passed Senate 26-13-1 on Apr/24/15; signed by Gov. Scott on Jun/10/15.
Source: Florida Times-Union on legislative voting record HB633
Apr 22, 2015
Greg Steube:
Support 24 hour waiting period for abortion
Summary by The Florida Times-Union (6/10/15): Gov. Scott signed a measure that will require a 24-hour waiting period before women can have abortions. "This bill gives women an opportunity to reflect on a major decision that will have
lifelong effects, not just physically but mentally as well," said the Senate sponsor. The bill adds to an already-existing law that requires physicians performing abortions to provide information to women to obtain their consent. The information must be
provided in person to the women at least 24 hours before the procedures are performed. The bill includes exceptions for victims of rape, incest, domestic violence or human trafficking-but those victims can waive the 24-hour wait only if they can produce
police reports, restraining orders, or other documentation.Legislative Outcome: Passed House 77-41-2 on Apr/22/15; State Rep. Greg Steube voted YES; passed Senate 26-13-1 on Apr/24/15; signed by Gov. Scott on Jun/10/15.
Source: Florida Times-Union on legislative voting record HB633
Apr 22, 2015
Matt Gaetz:
Support 24 hour waiting period for abortion
Summary by The Florida Times-Union (6/10/15): Gov. Scott signed a measure that will require a 24-hour waiting period before women can have abortions. "This bill gives women an opportunity to reflect on a major decision that will have
lifelong effects, not just physically but mentally as well," said the Senate sponsor. The bill adds to an already-existing law that requires physicians performing abortions to provide information to women to obtain their consent. The information must be
provided in person to the women at least 24 hours before the procedures are performed. The bill includes exceptions for victims of rape, incest, domestic violence or human trafficking-but those victims can waive the 24-hour wait only if they can produce
police reports, restraining orders, or other documentation.Legislative Outcome: Passed House 77-41-2 on Apr/22/15; State Rep. Matt Gaetz co-sponsored and voted YES; passed Senate 26-13-1 on Apr/24/15; signed by Gov. Scott on Jun/10/15.
Source: Florida Times-Union on legislative voting record HB633
Apr 22, 2015
Darren Soto:
Oppose 24 hour waiting period for abortion
Summary by The Florida Times-Union (6/10/15): Gov. Scott signed a measure that will require a 24-hour waiting period before women can have abortions. "This bill gives women an opportunity to reflect on a major decision that will have
lifelong effects, not just physically but mentally as well," said the Senate sponsor. The bill adds to an already-existing law that requires physicians performing abortions to provide information to women to obtain their consent. The information must be
provided in person to the women at least 24 hours before the procedures are performed. The bill includes exceptions for victims of rape, incest, domestic violence or human trafficking-but those victims can waive the 24-hour wait only if they can produce
police reports, restraining orders, or other documentation.Legislative Outcome: Passed House 77-41-2 on Apr/22/15; passed Senate 26-13-1 on Apr/24/15; State Sen. Darren Soto voted NO; signed by Gov. Scott on Jun/10/15.
Source: Florida Times-Union on legislative voting record HB633
Apr 24, 2015
Aaron Bean:
Support 24 hour waiting period for abortion
Summary by The Florida Times-Union (6/10/15): Gov. Scott signed a measure that will require a 24-hour waiting period before women can have abortions. "This bill gives women an opportunity to reflect on a major decision that will have
lifelong effects, not just physically but mentally as well," said the Senate sponsor. The bill adds to an already-existing law that requires physicians performing abortions to provide information to women to obtain their consent. The information must be
provided in person to the women at least 24 hours before the procedures are performed. The bill includes exceptions for victims of rape, incest, domestic violence or human trafficking-but those victims can waive the 24-hour wait only if they can produce
police reports, restraining orders, or other documentation.Legislative Outcome: Passed House 77-41-2 on Apr/22/15; passed Senate 26-13-1 on Apr/24/15; State Sen. Aaron Bean voted YES; signed by Gov. Scott on Jun/10/15.
Source: Florida Times-Union on legislative voting record HB633
Apr 24, 2015
Rick Scott:
Signed 24 hour waiting period for abortion
Summary by The Florida Times-Union (6/10/15): Gov. Scott signed a measure that will require a 24-hour waiting period before women can have abortions. "This bill gives women an opportunity to reflect on a major decision that will have
lifelong effects, not just physically but mentally as well," said the Senate sponsor. The bill adds to an already-existing law that requires physicians performing abortions to provide information to women to obtain their consent. The information must be
provided in person to the women at least 24 hours before the procedures are performed. The bill includes exceptions for victims of rape, incest, domestic violence or human trafficking-but those victims can waive the 24-hour wait only if they can produce
police reports, restraining orders, or other documentation.Legislative Outcome: Passed House 77-41-2 on Apr/22/15; passed Senate 26-13-1 on Apr/24/15; signed by Gov. Rick Scott on Jun/10/15.
Source: Florida Times-Union on legislative voting record HB633
Jun 10, 2015
Alexander Snitker:
Government must define when life begins & then protect it
The problem with the abortion debate is that the govt. has not defined when life begins. Once life is defined, the govt. has a duty to protect it.
Source: Florida Congressional Election 2010 Political Courage Test
Aug 11, 2010
Alexander Snitker:
No federal funding for embryonic stem cell research
Q: Do you support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research? A: No.
Source: Florida Congressional Election 2010 Political Courage Test
Aug 11, 2010
Andrew Gillum:
Defunding Planned Parenthood jeopardizes women's health
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right"?A: Support--When Governor Rick Scott and the
Republican legislature tried to defund Planned Parenthood, Andrew called them out for jeopardizing women's health with ideological games.
As Governor, Andrew will stop the Legislature from using women's health as a political football. Andrew trusts women to make their own healthcare decisions with their doctor--
not politicians--and he will oppose any attempt to make it harder for women to access quality healthcare.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Florida Governor candidate
Jun 15, 2018
Andrew Gillum:
Decision should be made by women & their doctors
Q: Abortion: Mostly ban or mostly legal?Ron DeSantis (R): Ban. Pledges to sign legislation banning abortions after fetal heartbeat detected (roughly 6 weeks) & to appoint constitutionalist justices to FL Supreme Court who will "protect & defend life."
Andrew Gillum (D): Legal. Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right and decision should be made by women & their doctors--not by politicians. Opposes making healthcare harder for women to access.
Q: Allow employers to withhold contraceptive coverage from employees if disagree with it morally?
DeSantis: Yes. Employers should not be required to "pay for abortifacients in violation of their faith."
Gillum: No. Proposes a law to protect women's
access to no-cost contraceptive care under ObamaCare.
Q: Let Planned Parenthood receive public funds for non-abortion healthcare?
DeSantis: No. Voted for a bill to end funding.
Gillum: Yes. Challenged Rick Scott effort to defund Planned Parenthood.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Florida Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Annette Taddeo:
Defends a woman's right to make choices about her own body
Annette is a true Democratic leader and the only candidate who has championed Democratic values her entire career. She has spent her career fighting for core Democratic issues like a living wage for all Floridians,
defending a woman's right to make choices about her own body, economic growth through helping our small businesses, affordable healthcare for all Floridians, safe drinking water, and stronger and safer schools.
Source: 2022 Florida Governor campaign website AnnetteTaddeo.com
Apr 7, 2021
Augustus Invictus:
Leave abortion decisions to the states
Invictus believes the 10th Amendment ought to settle the abortion debate. Nowhere in the constitution is the federal government granted to regulate a medical matter, therefore, abortion ought to be left up to the states. Devolving abortion
to the states may just be the push we need to make it possible for a woman to exercise her right to remove a baby without violating the baby's right to life. The more localized a position is, the more likely that position is to make progress.
Source: LibertyHangout.org on 2016 Florida Senate race
May 28, 2016
Bernard DeCastro:
Prohibit federal funds for elective abortions
Question: ON ABORTION FUNDING BAN: Prohibiting the use of federal funds to pay for or provide insurance coverage for elective abortions? Answer: SUPPORT
Question: ON CONSCIENCE PROTECTION:
Preventing federal agencies and states that receive federal funds from discriminating against health care providers who do not perform or participate in abortions (Hyde-Weldon Amendment)?
Answer: SUPPORT
Source: Florida Catholic Conference Candidate Questionnaire
Aug 11, 2010
Betty Castor:
Abortion should be rare, safe and legal
Abortion is a very personal decision. I think it should be rare, safe and legal.
Source: Florida Senate Debate, in St. Petersburg Times
Oct 19, 2004
Betty Castor:
Abortion is a personal matter that should not be interfered
Q: Do you favor any restrictions to abortion?CASTOR: I believe we should work to reduce the number of abortions, but I am concerned about government dictating personal decisions that should be made between women, their families and their doctors.
Government should not interfere in private decisions on personal matters such as abortion.
MARTINEZ: I have a deep respect for life and that respect will guide my voting in the Senate. I believe life begins at conception. I am opposed to abortion.
Source: Florida Senate Debate, Q&A by Associated Press
Oct 24, 2004
Bill Nelson:
Supports a women's right to choose
Abortion: Highly restrict abortion?
Nelson: No. Supports a women's right to choose.
Scott: Yes. "Abortion is wrong & Roe versus Wade should be overturned."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Florida Senate race
Nov 1, 2018
Brian Mast:
Defend life at every stage
Defend Life: I'm a strong supporter of the right to life. I believe we must defend life at every stage and protect the most vulnerable members of our society.
I'll work hard to defund Planned Parenthood, to make sure we're funding real women's health, not an organization that performs 300,000 abortions and 0 mammograms each year.
Source: 2016 Florida House campaign website MastForCongress.com
Nov 8, 2016
Brian Mast:
Only allow abortion for rape, incest, and maternal life
Q: Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?A: Pro-life.
I support exception for defense of a mothers life or the case or Rape or incest.
Source: Vote-Smart 2016 Florida Political Courage Test
Nov 8, 2016
Brian Moore:
Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right"?A: I strongly support. ˙Fl. legislature shouldn't dictate what's appropriate for a woman to do. Abortion is a painful decision she has to make.
Focus on fully feeding, clothing, housing and health care for every child born in Florida. STOP focusing on children in the womb. Do something positive!
Source: OnTheIssues.org interview on 2022 Florida Gubernatorial race
Apr 14, 2022
Charlie Crist:
Tea Party is too extreme on outlawing abortion
Crist repeatedly mocked the tea party movement while attacking Rubio, calling him an extremist for wanting to outlaw abortion. "You haven't been drinking the Kool-Aid, my friend, you've been drinking too much tea and it's just wrong," Crist told
Rubio."I think it's always funny to listen to the governor attack me for the positions he himself held just six months ago, when he was trying to be the biggest conservative in the world and win the Republican primary," Rubio said.
Source: Associated Press coverage of 2010 Florida Senate Debate
Oct 6, 2010
Charlie Crist:
Vetoed bill requiring ultrasound exams before abortions
Crist, seated to the left of both Meek and Rubio, but trying to position himself as a bridge between liberal and conservative extremes that he said are crippling Congress. Crist said he left the Republican Party this spring on principle, because the part
had become "intolerant." "The Republican Party and the right wing of that party went so far right, it's exactly why Marco Rubio stayed there, it's exactly the same reason that I left," said Crist. "He wants to overturn--listen to me, women watching--
overturn Roe vs. Wade. He does not support stem-cell research; you know, these are extreme views that I am not comfortable with."
Meek said Crist's decision was more pragmatic. "We know why the governor is running as an independent--because he
couldn't beat Marco Rubio," Meek said.
As an independent candidate, Crist vetoed an education package championed by Republican legislators, along with a bill requiring women to get ultrasound exams before abortions.
Source: Ft. Myers News-Press coverage of 2010 Florida Senate debate
Oct 24, 2010
Charlie Crist:
2006: I'm pro-life; 2014: That was for Republicans
Democrats across Florida heard a mysterious recorded call attacking Charlie Crist. The voice in the recording? Charlie Crist. "Hi, this is Charlie Crist calling to set the record straight. I'm pro-life. I oppose amnesty for illegal immigrants, I support
traditional marriage, and I have never supported a new tax or big spending program. Floridians need a consistent, conservative governor that they can trust. I would appreciate your vote on Election Day."Not exactly your standard Democratic primary
platform. But the voice in the robocall really is Crist's and so were the positions he stressed. But it was Charlie Crist circa 2006--not 2014. Back then he was running in the Republican primary for governor and paid for the calls to shore up his
conservative support and push back against rival Tom Gallagher's assertion that Crist was a moderate. They certainly were never intended for Democratic voters.
A spokesman for the Crist campaign called it a "shady voter suppression tactic."
Source: Miami Herald AdWatch on 2014 Florida gubernatorial race
Aug 11, 2014
Darren Soto:
Women have a right to control their own bodies
Women have a right to control their own bodies. Reproductive health care decisions should be between a woman and her doctor--and nobody else. Last year, I was proud to lead the fight on the Senate Floor to defeat an outrageous 24-hour abortion
waiting period bill. Soon after, the ACLU filed a lawsuit challenging the law that used my arguments as a framework--and in a huge win for women, the Florida Supreme Court agreed with us and put that anti-choice law on hold.
I was also proud to lead the fight in the Florida Senate to successfully double the statute of limitations for crimes of sexual violence, so that rapists and predators can be held accountable and taken off the street.
In Congress, I will always stand up for the right of women to make their own health and family planning decisions--and I will fight tooth-and-nail any effort to defund Planned Parenthood and take away comprehensive women's health services.
Source: 2016 Florida House campaign website DarrenSoto.com
Nov 8, 2016
Edward Janowski:
Men imposing on pregnant women makes them breeding stock
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right"?A: While I am not a fan of abortion, nor do I believe it should be used as a standard practice for birth control.
I don't believe a woman's God-given rights of Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness ends if she should become pregnant. As a man, I do not have any right to deny a woman what choices she should make.
I can offer my opinion or make suggestions to her only.
To impose my will upon a pregnant woman would be to reduce her to nothing more than breeding stock, and that is not acceptable. No matter what I may think or feel.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Florida Senate candidate
Mar 30, 2018
Francis Rooney:
Cherish and respect life
Standing Up For Conservative Values:- Francis Rooney will always defend and protect our conservative principles.
- Rooney believes we must cherish and respect life, from the moment of conception to its natural death.
-
Francis will fight to keep government limited, free of excessive regulations and responsive to "We The People."
As a member of Congress, he will defend our basic rights, and will not be controlled by Washington lobbyists.
Source: 2016 Florida House campaign website FrancisRooney.com
Nov 8, 2016
Fred Thompson:
Lobbied for Planned Parenthood,but always voted against them
Q: When asked about your lobbying, years ago, for Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider, you said, "That was private life?" Why does that make a difference?Q: No, what I said was that it was my private law practice, as opposed to
my public service. I was a member of a large firm. And it was their client. They asked me to do a little work on it. I made a few calls. Frankly, I'd forgotten about it. But [Planned Parenthood has] come forward now, because I'm their worst nightmare.
Source: 2007 GOP primary debate in Orlando, Florida
Oct 21, 2007
Jeb Bush:
Restrict abortions to incest, rape, & health
Supports the following principles concerning abortion: - Abortions should be legal only when pregnancy resulted from incest, rape, or when the life of the woman is endangered.
- Abortions should be limited by waiting periods and parental
notification requirements.
- Prohibit the late-term abortion procedure known as "partial-birth" abortion.
- Should Florida government funding be provided to clinics and medical facilities that provide abortion services? Answer: "No."
Source: 1998 Florida National Political Awareness Test
Jul 2, 1998
Jeb Bush:
Funded adoption counseling, but not abortion counseling
As governor, his entry into this arena came in his first year in office when he was called upon to support legislation permitting the state of Florida to offer a specialty license plate promoting the right-to-life side of the abortion controversy.
The plate, containing the message "Choose Life," was available for $20 and the proceeds went to organizations that provided counseling and support to pregnant women "who are committed to placing their children up for adoption" but not
to "any agency that is involved in or associated with abortion activities including counseling." Not surprisingly, the pro-choice advocates opposed the legislation. Bush's predecessor,
Lawton Chiles, had vetoed the same measure on the grounds that it unnecessarily interjected religion into a public issue. Jeb sided with the pro-life side of this debate and signed the bill into law when it came to his desk.
Source: Aggressive Conservatism in Florida, by Robert Crew, p. 74
Dec 11, 2009
Jeb Bush:
Prevent use of public funds for stem cell research
Governor Bush took the side of the right-to-life constituency in a battle to prevent the use of public funds in support of stem cell research. While this stance put him at odds with his economic development supporters, he argued that this
technology "takes a life to give a life," and opposed a ballot initiative that would have amended the state's constitution to provide $200 million over 10 years for this purpose. He also opposed actions to permit the Scripps Medical Institute to conduct
research on this topic, even though he had committed $310 million of state-controlled federal funds to attract Scripps to Florida. At the same time he was attempting to lure the Burnham Institute of La Jolla,
California, to build a lab in Florida, he also attached a condition that the Florida labs of this company, which was a leader in embryonic stem cell research, could work only on the noncontroversial stem cells from adults or umbilical cords.
Source: Aggressive Conservatism in Florida, by Robert Crew, p. 75
Dec 11, 2009
John Rutherford:
All life is sacred, period
Protect Life: All life is sacred, period.
John is a strong defender of the lives of the unborn and will fight passionately in Washington to protect life.
Source: 2016 Florida House campaign website VoteJohnRutherford.com
Nov 8, 2016
Kendrick Meek:
I have a 100% voting record on abortion, unlike Gov. Crist
Crist said he left the Republican Party this spring on principle, because the party had become intolerant: "The Republican Party and the right wing of that party went so far right," said Crist. "He wants to overturn--listen to me, women watching--overtur
Roe vs. Wade. He does not support stem-cell research; you know, these are extreme views that I am not comfortable with."Meek said Crist's decision was more pragmatic. "We know why the governor is running as an independent--because he couldn't beat
Marco Rubio," Meek said. Meek was quick to block Crist's effort to outflank him on abortion.
Meek said he has "a 100 percent voting record when it comes down to a woman's right to choose" in his eight years in Congress. "He's been all over the board,
first a Republican, then he became an independent," Meek said of Crist. As a state legislator, education commissioner, attorney general and governor, Crist mostly supported GOP positions on economic and "family values" issues.
Source: Ft. Myers News-Press coverage of 2010 Florida Senate debate
Oct 24, 2010
Marco Rubio:
Voted against funding stem cell research
Rubio voted NO on Amendment A990241, Stem Cell Research Funding Amendment (rejected by the House, 40 - 73).State government synopsis: This amendment earmarks $1,000,000 from the
James and Esther King Biomedical Research Program to fund research grants on adult, umbilical cord and embryonic stem cell projects.
Source: Florida state legislative voting records
Apr 6, 2006
Matt Gaetz:
Ban taxpayer-funded abortions under ObamaCare
Matt is 100% pro-life and has always been a voice for those without one. He successfully sponsored legislation to ban taxpayer-funded abortions under ObamaCare and prohibited state money from going to abortion centers.
Matt also fought to require ultrasounds and 24-hour waiting periods before abortions can be performed. In Congress, Matt will vote to defund Planned Parenthood and hold them accountable for the atrocious acts they commit.
Source: 2016 Florida House campaign website MattGaetz.com
Nov 8, 2016
Matt Gaetz:
Roe v. Wade was a terrible decision
Q: Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?Gaetz: I am 100% pro-life. We must fight to protect life at every step.
Roe v. Wade was a terrible decision that has severely hurt our country. I am pro-life without exception.
Source: 2016 AFA Action iVoterGuide on Florida House race
Nov 8, 2016
Mel Martinez:
Opposed to abortion--life begins at conception
Q: Do you favor any restrictions to abortion?CASTOR: I believe we should work to reduce the number of abortions, but I am concerned about government dictating personal decisions that should be made between women, their families and their doctors.
Government should not interfere in private decisions on personal matters such as abortion.
MARTINEZ: I have a deep respect for life and that respect will guide my voting in the Senate. I believe life begins at conception. I am opposed to abortion.
Source: Florida Senate Debate, Q&A by Associated Press
Oct 24, 2004
Mitt Romney:
Would be delighted to sign federal ban on all abortions
Q: If hypothetically, Roe v. Wade was overturned, and the Congress passed a federal ban on all abortions and it came to your desk, would you sign it?A: Let me say it. I'd be delighted to sign that bill. But that's not where we are.
That's not where America is today. Where America is, is ready to overturn Roe v. Wade and return to the states that authority. But if the Congress got there, we had that kind of consensus in that country, terrific.
Source: 2007 GOP YouTube debate in St. Petersburg, Florida
Nov 28, 2007
Neal Dunn:
Fight for the sanctity of life
Fighting for the Sanctity of Life:
I am 100% pro-life and will fight for the rights of the unborn. We must stop taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood.
Source: 2016 Florida House campaign website NealDunn.com
Nov 8, 2016
Neal Dunn:
Only allow abortion for rape, incest, and maternal life
Q: Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Dunn: In the very rare cases of rape and incest, and to protect the life of the mother.
Source: 2016 AFA Action iVoterGuide on Florida House race
Nov 8, 2016
Nikki Fried:
Require half the legislature be female for new abortion laws
Fried is an outspoken pro-choice advocate. During the 2020 legislative session, she criticized the Republican majority for approving SB 404. It requires physicians have written parental consent before terminating the pregnancy of a minor. "Denying young
women the moral agency to make decisions about their own bodies doesn't promote better family communication, and it doesn't stop women from getting abortions," Fried said in a statement following the bill's approval.
Fried also supported Sen. Lauren Book's efforts to create an amendment to Florida's Constitution concerning abortion law. In order to pass any new abortion policy, the amendment would have required half of
the members in each legislative chamber to be female. "Women will lead and win the fight to make our own decisions," Fried wrote on Twitter. "Women's rights are human rights."
Source: WPTV Palm Beach NBC-5 on 2022 Florida Gubernatorial race
Jul 2, 2021
Philip Levine:
Women have the right to be pro-choice, government keep out
Our government has no place in a woman's body, ok? That's number one. And number two, I believe firmly in every woman's right to choose. But I think the question is going to come down to the courts. We have three important
Florida Supreme Court justices that the next governor of Florida will hopefully have the opportunity to appoint. We need to make sure those three judges are fair, they have integrity and they have knowledge of the law.
Source: WLM on 2018 Florida Gubernatorial debates
Jun 12, 2018
Rick Scott:
Abortion is wrong & Roe versus Wade should be overturned
Abortion: Highly restrict abortion?
Nelson: No. Supports a women's right to choose.
Scott: Yes. "Abortion is wrong & Roe versus Wade should be overturned."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Florida Senate race
Nov 1, 2018
Ron DeSantis:
Ban abortions after fetal heartbeat detected
Q: Abortion: Mostly ban or mostly legal?Ron DeSantis (R): Ban. Pledges to sign legislation banning abortions after fetal heartbeat detected (roughly 6 weeks) & to appoint constitutionalist justices to FL Supreme Court who will "protect & defend life."
Andrew Gillum (D): Legal. Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right and decision should be made by women & their doctors--not by politicians. Opposes making healthcare harder for women to access.
Q: Allow employers to withhold contraceptive coverage from employees if disagree with it morally?
DeSantis: Yes. Employers should not be required to "pay for abortifacients in violation of their faith."
Gillum: No. Proposes a law to protect women's
access to no-cost contraceptive care under ObamaCare.
Q: Let Planned Parenthood receive public funds for non-abortion healthcare?
DeSantis: No. Voted for a bill to end funding.
Gillum: Yes. Challenged Rick Scott effort to defund Planned Parenthood.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Florida Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Ron DeSantis:
Reject loosening law on late term abortions
We also need to stand by students with special needs and their families. That means eliminating the waitlist of 1,900 students for Gardiner Scholarships. The Gardiner scholarship is our way of saying that everyone counts and that these
are lives worth living. And while we are at it, I wholeheartedly reject the callous disregard for human life displayed by the Governors of Virginia and New York. We won't allow that to happen in Florida.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Florida legislature
Mar 5, 2019
Ron DeSantis:
Anti-choice on abortion; pro-choice on vaccinations
Asked to compare and contrast "The Florida Heartbeat Act" (HB 167), a House bill banning abortions after the fetus develops a heartbeat, with what a reporter called "freedom of choice during the pandemic," DeSantis fumbled and
offered an inconclusive answer. "Well, I think the difference is between the right to life is that another life is at stake. Whereas whether you've put something in your body or not, it doesn't affect other people," the Governor asserted.
Source: Florida Politics on 2022 Florida Gubernatorial race
Jul 1, 2021
Ron Paul:
Get the federal government out of abortion decision
Q: If abortion becomes illegal and a woman obtains an abortion anyway, what should she be charged with? What about the doctor who performs the abortion?A: The first thing we have to do is get the federal government out of it. We don't need a federal
abortion police. That's the last thing that we need. There has to be a criminal penalty for the person that's committing that crime. And I think that is the abortionist. As for the punishment, I don't think that should be up to the president to decide.
Source: 2007 GOP YouTube debate in St. Petersburg, Florida
Nov 28, 2007
Ronald Reagan:
Abortion on demand must be outlawed
Abortion on demand now takes the lives of up to one and a half million unborn children a year. Human life legislation ending this tragedy will someday pass the Congress, and you and I must never rest until it does.
Source: Speech in Orlando Florida
Mar 8, 1983
Ross Spano:
Protect survivors of abortion procedures
On the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act: "Saving a baby's life should not be a partisan issue," Spano said. "Yet there are 24 states that fail to provide protection for these infants and allow physicians to withhold lifesaving care to babies
who miraculously survive an abortion. It just doesn't pass the common sense test. What we do and what we tolerate says a lot about us as a people and a nation, and I call on my colleagues to help put an end to this heinous practice."
Source: FloridaDaily.com on 2018 Congressional FL-15 election
Sep 11, 2019
Rudy Giuliani:
Would probably not sign federal ban on all abortions
Q: If hypothetically, Roe v. Wade was overturned, and the Congress passed a federal ban on all abortions and it came to your desk, would you sign it?A: I probably would not sign it.
I would leave it to the states to make that decision. I think that the problem with Roe against Wade is that it took the decision away from the states.
Source: 2007 GOP YouTube debate in St. Petersburg, Florida
Nov 28, 2007
Charlie Crist:
Voted for Women's Health Protection Act after Roe overturned
Much of the debate focused on the sharp divide in Florida when it comes to abortion rights with Crist promising to sign an executive order, if elected, to protect access for women. "I want to make sure we keep a woman's right to choose available to the
women of the state of Florida," Crist said."He supports dismemberment abortions where they literally tear the baby limb from limb. And he supports taxpayer-funded abortion all the way up to the moment of birth, and that is wrong," DeSantis said.
That claim is mostly false. The claim refers to the Women's Health Protection Act which passed along party lines after Roe v. Wade was overturned.
Crist voted with the majority on the measure that, technically, would make abortion legal up to birth.
The Washington Post has pointed out this is more political than practical reality since just 5.5% of abortions take place after 15 weeks and 1.3% are performed at 21 weeks or later.
Source: WESH FactCheck on 2022 Florida Gubernatorial race
Oct 25, 2022
Ron DeSantis:
FactCheck: Only 1.3% of abortions take place after 21 weeks
Much of the debate focused on the sharp divide in Florida when it comes to abortion rights with Crist promising to sign an executive order, if elected, to protect access for women. "I want to make sure we keep a woman's right to choose available to the
women of the state of Florida," Crist said."He supports dismemberment abortions where they literally tear the baby limb from limb. And he supports taxpayer-funded abortion all the way up to the moment of birth, and that is wrong," DeSantis said.
That claim is mostly false. The claim refers to the Women's Health Protection Act which passed along party lines after Roe v. Wade was overturned.
Crist voted with the majority on the measure that, technically, would make abortion legal up to birth.
The Washington Post has pointed out this is more political than practical reality since just 5.5% of abortions take place after 15 weeks and 1.3% are performed at 21 weeks or later.
Source: WESH FactCheck on 2022 Florida Gubernatorial race
Oct 25, 2022
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023