State of West Virginia Archives: on Abortion
Stephen Noble Smith:
Guarantee access to reproductive healthcare for women
Guarantee access to reproductive healthcare for women across West Virginia. We must also expand access to birth control; pursue menstrual equity by eliminating taxes on these products and making them available in schools and prisons; protect and
increase Title X funding; support the expansion of reproductive health care clinics; implement a statewide, comprehensive, evidence-based sex education curriculum written by and for West Virginia teachers.
Source: 2020 W.V. Gubernatorial campaign website WVCantWait.com.com
Jan 24, 2020
Woody Thrasher:
I'm a pro-life conservative
The good work of our strong, conservative, Republican Legislature to move our state forward, like bringing us right-to-work, must continue.
I'm a pro-life conservative who believes in the Second Amendment. West Virginia's values will always be protected by me.
Source: 2020 W.V. Governor campaign website WoodyThrasher2020.com
Dec 13, 2019
Jeff Kessler:
Prohibit abortions after 20 weeks
Kessler is strongly pro-life and he
supported the bill that passed this session prohibiting abortions after 20 weeks.
Source: W.V. MetroNews on 2016 West Virginia gubernatorial race
Jun 23, 2015
Bill Cole:
Ban abortion after 20 weeks when fetus feels pain
Excerpts from HB 4588 legislative records:A BILL to protect unborn children who are capable of experiencing pain by prohibiting abortion after twenty weeks post-fertilization except when the mother has a medical emergency.- The
Legislature finds that there is substantial medical evidence that a fetus is capable of experiencing pain by twenty weeks after fertilization.
Veto Message:- I have vetoed HB 4588 because this bill is unconstitutional.
- The bill
also unduly restricts the physician-patient relationship.
- All patients, particularly expectant mothers, require unfettered medical judgment and advice from their physicians regarding treatment options.
- The criminal penalties this bill imposes will
impede that advice, and those options, to the detriment of the health and safety of expectant mothers.
Status:Bill passed Senate, 29-5-0; passed House 83-15-2; vetoed by Governor. (Bill Cole voted YEA).
Source: W.V. legislature voting records: HB 4588
Mar 28, 2015
Earl Ray Tomblin:
Vetoed ban on abortion after 20 weeks
Excerpts from HB 4588 legislative records:A BILL to protect unborn children who are capable of experiencing pain by prohibiting abortion after twenty weeks post-fertilization except when the mother has a medical emergency.- The
Legislature finds that there is substantial medical evidence that a fetus is capable of experiencing pain by twenty weeks after fertilization.
Veto Message:- I have vetoed HB 4588 because this bill is unconstitutional.
- The bill
also unduly restricts the physician-patient relationship.
- All patients, particularly expectant mothers, require unfettered medical judgment and advice from their physicians regarding treatment options.
- The criminal penalties this bill imposes will
impede that advice, and those options, to the detriment of the health and safety of expectant mothers.
Status:Bill passed Senate, 29-5-0; passed House 83-15-2; vetoed by Governor. (Jeff Kessler voted YEA).
Source: W.V. legislature voting records: HB 4588
Mar 28, 2015
Jeff Kessler:
Ban abortion after 20 weeks when fetus feels pain
Excerpts from HB 4588 legislative records:A BILL to protect unborn children who are capable of experiencing pain by prohibiting abortion after twenty weeks post-fertilization except when the mother has a medical emergency.- The
Legislature finds that there is substantial medical evidence that a fetus is capable of experiencing pain by twenty weeks after fertilization.
Veto Message:- I have vetoed HB 4588 because this bill is unconstitutional.
- The bill
also unduly restricts the physician-patient relationship.
- All patients, particularly expectant mothers, require unfettered medical judgment and advice from their physicians regarding treatment options.
- The criminal penalties this bill imposes will
impede that advice, and those options, to the detriment of the health and safety of expectant mothers.
Status:Bill passed Senate, 29-5-0; passed House 83-15-2; vetoed by Governor. (Jeff Kessler voted YEA).
Source: W.V. legislature voting records: HB 4588
Mar 28, 2015
Michael Folk:
Ban abortion after 20 weeks when fetus feels pain
Excerpts from HB 4588 legislative records:A BILL to protect unborn children who are capable of experiencing pain by prohibiting abortion after twenty weeks post-fertilization except when the mother has a medical emergency.- The
Legislature finds that there is substantial medical evidence that a fetus is capable of experiencing pain by twenty weeks after fertilization.
Veto Message:- I have vetoed HB 4588 because this bill is unconstitutional.
- The bill
also unduly restricts the physician-patient relationship.
- All patients, particularly expectant mothers, require unfettered medical judgment and advice from their physicians regarding treatment options.
- The criminal penalties this bill imposes will
impede that advice, and those options, to the detriment of the health and safety of expectant mothers.
Status:Bill passed Senate, 29-5-0; passed House 83-15-2; vetoed by Governor. (Michael Folk voted YEA).
Source: W.V. legislature voting records: HB 4588
Mar 28, 2015
Alex Mooney:
Fight to stop federal taxpayer funding of abortion
Our government must protect the sanctity of all human life. I am pro-life and will fight to stop federal taxpayer funding of abortion. As a state senator,
I led the fight to protect the unborn by offering legislation to put an end to taxpayer-funded abortions and will do the same in Congress.
Source: 2014 W.V. House campaign website, MooneyForCongress.com
Nov 4, 2014
Evan Jenkins:
Life begins at conception
Evan knows that life begins at conception and is firm in his convictions. The National Right to Life [organization says], "This
endorsement reflects your commitment to strengthening a culture of life throughout the nation and in the U.S. Congress."
Source: 2014 W.V. House campaign website, EvanJenkins.com
Nov 4, 2014
John Buckley:
Protections of law apply to the unborn child
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right"?
A: Oppose. I respect the sincere differences of opinion on the difficult issue of abortion. I find that there is another human being, the unborn child, from the moment of conception.
Accordingly, I believe government has an obligation to the extent the protections of the law to the unborn child and I do not favor the legalization of abortion. It is not because
I want to impose my "values" on anyone, but rather because every person deserves the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Source: Email interview on 2014 W.V. Senate race with OnTheIssues
Sep 5, 2014
Jeff Kessler:
Stem cell research ok, but not embryonic research
Q: Do you support state funding of stem cell research?A: Yes.
Q: Do you support state funding of embryonic stem cell research?
A: No.
Q:Do you support allowing pharmacists who conscientiously object to emergency contraception to refuse to dispense it?
A: Yes.
Source: W.V. Congressional 2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2008
Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021