In new ad, US Rep. McGovern's family speaks on opposition to Dobbs decision in political ad

WORCESTER — U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, is touting his record on abortion rights with help from three women close to him: His mother, wife and daughter.

In November, McGovern faces Republican Jeffrey Sossa-Paquette of Shrewsbury in the general election.

In a new ad, the three women talked about their disappointment with the U.S. Supreme Court's 6-3 decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.

The decision overturns the Supreme Court's rulings on Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey that established the right to an abortion nationwide.

"But now my generation is going to have fewer rights than our parents and grandparents because Republicans overturned Roe v. Wade," Molly McGovern, the congressman's daughter, said in the online video.

McGovern's mother, Mindy, and his wife, Lisa, described the fight that women went through to first secure the right to an abortion and other rights.

"When I was born, women couldn't even open their own bank account without their man's permission," Mindy McGovern said. "My generation had to fight for equal rights."

The three say that McGovern is a supporter and fighter for women's rights and will continue to advocate for their rights in Congress.

"I'm so proud of Jim because he doesn't just believe in equal rights, he fights for them in Congress," Lisa McGovern said. "And he knows this fight is about our freedom."

While Massachusetts enshrined the right to an abortion into law in 2020, with the adoption of the ROE Act, other states have passed restrictions or outright bans on abortion in most cases since the Dobbs decision.

Abortion may prove to be a motivating force in this year's midterm elections. In the typically Republican-leaning state of Kansas, a ballot measure to remove abortion rights language from the state constitution was overwhelmingly rejected.

Sossa-Paquette said in a statement Friday that he is "pro-life" and believes in adoption as an alternative to abortion, however, he would not legislate based solely on his personal views.

"I, Jeffrey Sossa-Paquette, have always been Pro-Life, however my personal choice is not how I would legislate, respecting ones right to choose over their own body must be between a patient and there doctor, this applies to any medical decision," Sossa-Paquette said.

Sossa-Paquette said abortion should be a state issue and would only act if there is a state ban. He would push for a limit to abortion at 24 weeks except for cases where the mother's life is at risk, rape or incest.

"Bottom line, I will follow the will of the American citizens, and that is what a majority of Americans want abortion with limits, Unlike Congressman Jim McGovern, I believe my body my choice means just that," Sossa-Paquette said. "Congressman Jim McGovern believes he has the right to choose what circumstance an individual’s body autonomy is controlled by our government."

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: U.S. Rep. James McGovern's family speaks out on abortion rights in ad