State of Tennessee Archives: on Abortion
Bill Hagerty:
Vehemently opposes taxpayer funds for abortion
Bill vehemently opposes taxpayer funds for abortion and abortion providers; he will fight to defund Planned Parenthood. He's 100 percent pro-life. He will work to pass Pain Capable
Legislation and a bill that requires medical care for babies born alive as the result of a botched abortion. He will support constitutionalist judges who support the right to life. Bill will work to improve our foster care and adoption programs.
Source: 2020 Tennessee Senate campaign website TeamHagerty.com
Dec 24, 2019
Bill Hagerty:
Possible exceptions for rape/incest, "challenging" situation
Hagerty said, "I hate the thought of abortion in any case. I think it's a very challenging situation--the situation of rape or incest," he said. "It's terrible.
I think it's a very infrequent situation. And were it ever to come up, I hope to make sure that it's one of the least frequent things that ever happens and that other alternatives are made available to people."
Source: Nashville Tennessean on 2020 Tennessee Senate race
Dec 4, 2019
Bill Lee:
Against abortion: life begins at conception
I believe that life begins at conception and that every life is precious. Our unborn are gifts from God, and we can't live in a society where children are treated as disposable. That's why I am pro-life, pro-child, and pro-family.
We owe it to every parent to make Tennessee the best state in the country to raise a family.
Source: 2018 Tennessee Gubernatorial website BillLee.com
Jul 4, 2018
Bill Lee:
Ban abortion, even for rape and incest
Q: Abortion: Mostly ban or mostly legal? Karl Dean (D): Legal. "Between her and her doctor and her family and her faith. Politicians should not insert themselves."
Bill Lee (R): Ban, even for rape and incest. "Any restriction that would limit
abortions." Supports "Heartbeat Bill" banning at around six weeks.
Q: Allow employers to withhold contraceptive coverage from employees if disagree with it morally?
Karl Dean (D): Unknown.
Bill Lee (R): Yes. "Our constitution protects an absolute, fundamental right to live your life--at home & in the workplace--according to your values & your faith."
Q: Let Planned Parenthood receive public funds for non-abortion healthcare?
Karl Dean (D): Unclear. Supportive of expanding women's health services.
Bill Lee (R): No. Make sure they don't get another dime of state money.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Tennessee Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Bill Lee:
Seeing premature granddaughter strengthened my resolve
I've proposed legislation that would defend and protect the life of an unborn baby from the time their heartbeat can be detected. I want to share a personal story that has strengthened my resolve.
A few months ago, my son and his wife had identical twin baby girls, delivered months before they were due, at a time when most babies their size would still be in their mother's womb.
When I walked into the neonatal intensive care unit, I stared in wonder at a 1-lb-5-oz baby girl with tubes and cords and monitors, fighting for her life.
As I watched little Annie, I was reminded once again that every life is precious. Every life is precious, and we will support pro-life policy in this state because everything precious is worth protecting.
Source: 2020 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 3, 2020
Bill Lee:
Ready to ban abortion if Roe v. Wade overturned
My office has proposed and supported some of the soundest pro-life legislation in the country. Thanks to our partners in the legislature, we passed thoughtful laws that protected the unborn and supported expecting mothers. If the federal courts return
full authority to the states [by overturning Roe v. Wade], Tennessee's laws will automatically provide the maximum possible protection and offer a glimmer of redemption as America reconciles our troubled past.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Jan 31, 2022
David Kustoff:
No exceptions for any circumstances
Q: Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?Kustoff: Should not be allowed; no exceptions.
Q: Considering all issues (social, economic, national security, etc.), which political philosophy best describes you?
Kustoff: Very Conservative
Source: 2016 AFA Action iVoterGuide on Tennessee House race
Nov 8, 2016
David Kustoff:
Life begins at conception
Standing for West Tennessee Values: I will always fight for the West Tennessee values we so strongly believe in.
I believe life begins at conception, I believe marriage is between a man and a woman, and I believe we have an unequivocal constitutional right to keep and bear arms.
Source: 2016 Tennessee House campaign website KustoffForCongress.com
Nov 8, 2016
Diane Black:
Opposes funding of Planned Parenthood
As your next Governor,
I will continue to fight to stop taxpayer $$ going to Planned Parenthood.
Source: Facebook posting on 2018 Tennessee gubernatorial race
Aug 18, 2017
Gordon Ball:
Opposes Amendment 1 banning abortion for rape & incest
The Gordon Ball campaign publicly calls on Sen. Lamar Alexander to announce how he intends to vote on Amendment 1 when he returns from Washington to cast his ballot. Amendment 1 will appear on the ballot [including]: "Nothing in this Constitution secures
or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion.""It's a fair question, Yes or No?" said Gordon Ball, Democratic candidate for US Senate. "Over the past several years, and particularly during this primary season, we've seen
Lamar taking more extreme positions seemingly to shore up the fringe elements on his far right."
"This is an extreme form of government overreach into the private healthcare decisions of a woman," Ball added. "How would Lamar feel if one of his
family members was a victim of rape, incest or the life of the mother was in danger? Does he believe the State of Tennessee should force these decisions, or should the decision be made by the woman with her family and medical professional?"
Source: Nashville Post on 2014 Tennessee Senate race
Jul 16, 2014
James Mackler:
Woman's medical decisions should be between her & her doctor
Tennessee Republicans have passed a bill that would impose some of the harshest restrictions on abortion in the United States.
If you agree with James that a woman's medical decisions should be between her and her doctor, add your name [to our email list].
Source: 2020 Tennessee Senate campaign website JamesMackler.com
Sep 9, 2019
Jason Martin:
Protect health and reproductive rights of women
Protecting the health and reproductive rights of women across the state is not just important, but the right thing to do. There are widespread attacks on women's rights and as a physician, it is important to me that we make sure women have full control
over their reproductive rights. We need to make sure that women are supported in their decisions, that mothers are supported with childcare and healthcare, and that we make sure we do not judge anyone for the choices they make.
Source: 2022 Tennessee Governor campaign website MartinForTN.com
Aug 7, 2022
Jason Martin:
Stop treating women like second-class citizens
Martin said the state's abortion law was "radical" because it doesn't have a clear exemption if the mother's life is endangered. "I don't know of anyone who wants to see more abortions," Martin said. "But, I know thousands of people who don't want
government involved in that decision. I think that's where the majority of Tennessean's land. We need to stop treating women like second-class citizens and keep government out of the doctor's office."
Source: The Tennessean on 2022 Tennessee Gubernatorial race
Jul 10, 2022
JB Smiley:
Women have right to choose what's best for their own bodies
Smiley mentioned Tennessee having some major issues he wants to focus on including violent crime rates, access to healthcare, women's rights and many other issues. Smiley also mentions that under his leadership,
Tennesseans will have access to health care no matter where they live and women will have the right to choose what is best for their own bodies.
Source: Citizen Tribune on 2022 Tennessee Gubernatorial race
Nov 24, 2021
Marsha Blackburn:
Ban abortion; ban public funds for Planned Parenthood
Q: Abortion: Mostly ban or mostly legal?Marsha Blackburn (R): Ban. Multiple votes to ban or restrict. Also ban Planned Parenthood receiving public funds for non-abortion health services.
Phil Bredesen (D): Legal, but hasn't made high priority.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Tennessee Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Karl Dean:
Politicians shouldn't insert themselves in abortion decision
Q: Abortion: Mostly ban or mostly legal? Karl Dean (D): Legal. "Between her and her doctor and her family and her faith. Politicians should not insert themselves."
Bill Lee (R): Ban, even for rape and incest. "Any restriction that would limit
abortions." Supports "Heartbeat Bill" banning at around six weeks.
Q: Allow employers to withhold contraceptive coverage from employees if disagree with it morally?
Karl Dean (D): Unknown.
Bill Lee (R): Yes. "Our constitution protects an absolute, fundamental right to live your life--at home & in the workplace--according to your values & your faith."
Q: Let Planned Parenthood receive public funds for non-abortion healthcare?
Karl Dean (D): Unclear. Supportive of expanding women's health services.
Bill Lee (R): No. Make sure they don't get another dime of state money.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Tennessee Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Manny Sethi:
A strong supporter of the Heartbeat Bill
I am pro-life. Period. As a doctor, I know that life begins at conception, and for too long politicians have failed to stand up for the sanctity of life. That is why
I am a such a strong supporter of the heartbeat bill here in Tennessee and will do the same when I'm in D.C. We need to confirm judges who will protect life, and the most vulnerable - the unborn.
Source: 2020 Tennessee Senate campaign website, DrMannyForSenate.com
Jan 12, 2020
Manny Sethi:
Opposed to exceptions for rape and incest
Sethi said the only exception he would consider for abortion would be in cases in which the life of the mother is in jeopardy. "I also believe that those are the rarest of cases and usually you can save both the mother and baby," he said.
In terms of exceptions for cases of rape and incest, Sethi said the issue was personal. "I've taken care of patients who were conceived (after) rape," he said, adding he is opposed to such exceptions.
Source: Nashville Tennessean on 2020 Tennessee Senate race
Dec 4, 2019
Phil Bredesen:
Keep abortion legal, but not high priority
Q: Abortion: Mostly ban or mostly legal?Marsha Blackburn (R): Ban. Multiple votes to ban or restrict. Also ban Planned Parenthood receiving public funds for non-abortion health services.
Phil Bredesen (D): Legal, but hasn't made high priority.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Tennessee Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Tim Burchett:
100% rating from Tennessee Right to Life
Tim is proudly pro-life and earned a 100 percent rating with Tennessee Right to Life. In the state legislature, he sponsored legislation to amend the state constitution to protect unborn life. As your next congressman, he will defend life and make sure y
Source: Tennessee Right to Life 2018 endorsements in TN-2 election
Nov 1, 2018
Terry Adams:
Pro-choice
Both Adams and Ball are in sync with contemporary Democrats on issues like women's rights and support for gays.
Both are for raising the minimum wage and for expansion of Medicaid and protection of Medicare and Social Security from privatization schemes.
Source: Memphis Flyer on 2014 Tennessee Senate race
Aug 6, 2014
Bill Lee:
$100M grant program to partner with crisis pregnancy clinics
Last year, Tennessee's budget funded ultrasound machines at crisis pregnancy clinics across the state. I'm proposing a $100 million grant program to partner with nonprofits that serve mothers, fathers, and families during a crisis pregnancy.
With that, our Office of Faith-Based Initiatives has a unique ability to engage nonprofits and community organizations. It's time to equip them with the resources they need to play a bigger role, as we endeavor to better serve children and families.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Tennessee legislature
Feb 6, 2023
Bill Lee:
Signed Tennessee fetal heartbeat abortion ban
SB2196: Creates the Class C felony of performing or inducing an abortion upon a pregnant woman whose unborn child has a fetal heartbeat.Planned Parenthood opinion The bill, one of the most restrictive abortion bills in the country,
bans abortion at nearly every stage of pregnancy, including before most people even know they're pregnant.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 70-20-9 on Jun/19/20; passed Senate 23-5-5 on Jun/19/20; signed by Gov. Lee on Jul/13/20
Source: Planned Parenthood on Tennessee State voting records SB2196
Jul 13, 2020
Gloria Johnson:
Women should be trusted to make their own medical decisions
Tennesseans are fed up with corrupt, "do nothing" politicians, like Marsha Blackburn, who has taken millions from the pharmaceutical industry, the NRA and the insurance industry while voting against lowering drug costs, against gun reform, and for
denying coverage for pre-existing conditions. Tennessee women deserve a Senator who trusts them to make their own medical decisions, unlike Blackburn who called the repeal of Roe v. Wade "a blessing" and has long supported a federal abortion ban.
Source: 2024 Tennessee Senate campaign website VoteGloriaJohnson.com
Sep 6, 2023
Gloria Johnson:
Voted NO on Tennessee fetal heartbeat abortion ban
SB2196: Creates the Class C felony of performing or inducing an abortion upon a pregnant woman whose unborn child has a fetal heartbeat.Planned Parenthood opinion : The bill, one of the most restrictive in the country, bans abortion at
nearly every stage of pregnancy, including before most people even know they're pregnant.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 70-20-9 on Jun/19/20; Johnson voted NO; passed Senate 23-5-5 on Jun/19/20; signed by Gov. Lee on Jul/13/20
Source: Planned Parenthood on Tennessee State voting records SB2196
Jun 19, 2020
Marsha Blackburn:
DOJ should investigate manufacturer of abortion pill
Blackburn and two other Republican senators have written a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi asking the Department of Justice to investigate whether the manufacturers of the abortion pill lied about its safety and efficacy. Republican lawmakers
accused the manufacturer of the abortion pill of potentially misrepresenting the pill's safety and efficacy and questioned the criteria the FDA used to decide to loosen restrictions on the drug, including allowing patients to obtain it via telehealth.
Source: WKRN.com on 2026 Tennessee Senate race
Aug 20, 2025
Page last updated: Mar 14, 2026