Oregon GOP, Democratic 2022 gubernatorial candidates share thoughts on abortion

With the U.S. Supreme Court appearing poised to overturn Roe v. Wade according to a draft opinion leaked Monday, the issue of abortion access could reemerge as a central question for governors nationwide.

If Roe v. Wade is overturned, each state's laws would determine abortion access.

In Oregon, lawmakers have enacted a number of laws securing access to these procedures, including the Reproductive Health Equity Act in 2017, which codified the protections of Roe v. Wade in Oregon law.

The Statesman Journal reached out to Oregon gubernatorial candidates Tuesday to ask how they would approach the state's abortion laws if elected and their broader position on abortion.

Here are the responses the Statesman Journal received from the candidates themselves or their campaigns, or statements made by the campaigns, edited for length and grammar.

Democrats

Julian Bell

"As governor, I plan to have the state of Oregon follow federal law, since we are obliged to.

"I support a woman’s right to make health care decisions about her own body, including the right to have an abortion. If health care providers in the state of Oregon were no longer able to perform abortions, a mechanism that could potentially be used to allow young women to continue to have as much control as possible over their economic and social destiny would be to increase awareness of and the availability of barrier contraceptives, other forms of birth control and mifepristone — RU486/the morning after pill which can be used well before a sperm and egg have even met."

Wilson Bright

"I am 100% pro choice. It's time we rethink the life terms of Supreme Court justices."

Peter Hall

"I absolutely support a women's right to an abortion in the first trimester, so that means I could support a 15-week ban except to save the mother's life or if the fetus is not viable. The bigger issue is access to abortion facilities. There is no place to get an abortion in Eastern Oregon. Bend is the nearest place. This is another example of urban Oregon ignoring the needs of rural Oregon. As governor, I would work to ensure statewide access to abortion services."

Tina Kotek

"I will steadfastly protect access to abortion and other reproductive health care in Oregon. I’ve done it and will continue to do it. I am outraged by the draft SCOTUS opinion.

"When Donald Trump was elected in 2016, I worked to pass the nation’s strongest abortion access law, ensuring that reproductive rights would be protected here in Oregon, no matter what happens at the Supreme Court. We knew this was coming, we’ve known it for years. I’m the only candidate running for governor who is endorsed by Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon, Pro-Choice Oregon and The Mother PAC. And, as your governor, I will continue to fight to defend reproductive rights in our state. That’s a promise."

Keisha Lanell Merchant

"The state abortion laws worked for the last 20 years but it was ineffective. It targeted poverty-stricken communities, as mass incarceration; it targeted mass abortion to children and young adults that performed casual sex in general. Returning to teens and young adult using abortions as the primary birth control as the only option is a sad story in America. We have failed our children, young adults, and adults in general.

"It shows lack of social responsibility from our generation. The future deserves better. Abortion was yesterday. Our future deserve better. My goal is to innovate and invent new options. Until then, we need to not rip off the Band-Aid either. This is a fragile social issue that need to be handled with quality care ethics."

David Stauffer

"I learned in law school that the issue of abortion is totally within the control of the judicial branch. Only the U.S. Supreme Court can change that opinion, so it is not an issue for the governor to decide. When I become governor, I will follow the law as specified by the U.S. Supreme Court — which is, at this time, the law in Roe v. Wade that says women may obtain an abortion fairly easily in the first trimester (first 12 weeks), with much greater difficulty in the second trimester and with much, much greater — almost an impossibility — in the third trimester.

"Since Roe v. Wade was decided, a very important development has occurred: The 'morning after' pill was invented, which can be taken shortly after unwanted sex. That means that dangerous 'back-alley' abortions by unlicensed persons will be much less likely and much less expensive. Avoiding back-alley butchers was a major consideration for the Roe v. Wade decision, so the U.S. Supreme Court may note that fact and issue an opinion that varies from Roe v. Wade."

John Sweeney

"The Oregon state abortion laws should remain the same. Because, abortion is an unfortunate necessity. Women need this option.

"Fact: Abortions have been going down over the past years. And, that is good. To lower the number of abortions, we need to invest in contraception."

Oregon Treasurer Tobias Read

"With Roe v. Wade on the precipice of being overturned, Oregon must continue to be a national leader in protecting reproductive rights. As governor, I will ensure that amidst a wave of concerning threats and rollbacks, we will stand up to any attack on abortion access here in Oregon."

Michael Trimble

"As governor, I will enforce the laws on protecting a woman’s right to choose as well as covering/paying contraceptive access under OHP and any other/all private health plans (they do not and will never receive any religious beliefs exemptions under my administration). As being only one of two candidates out of 15 pushing for Oregon Health Plan for all, I will be adding abortions to the health care plan.

"I 111% support a woman’s right to an abortion! Her body. Her choice. PERIOD."

Democratic candidates for governor:Read more about them

Republicans

Bridget Barton

"We must elect common-sense pro-life leaders like me who, like most Oregonians, reject aborting babies moments before birth, taxpayer-funded abortions and taxpayer-funded abortion tourism for people who want to come to Oregon for free abortions.

"I’m an outsider, not a politician. When I’m governor, this will no longer be a sanctuary state for weak politicians who disrespect human life and ignore problems like soaring crime and substance abuse, homeless on every city street, education results at the bottom of the barrel and rising prices at the gas station and grocery store."

Christine Drazan

"The unprecedented leak of a yet-to-be finalized U.S. Supreme Court opinion represents a grave attack on one of the core institutions in our country. I have never shied away from my pro-life values, but will wait for the court’s official opinion before commenting further."

Jessica Gomez

"Oregon is a pro-choice state. Oregon voters have confirmed this as recently as 2018. As governor, I would not pursue any changes to our existing abortion laws.

"I am consistent in my support for medical freedom and this includes a women’s right to choose. I firmly believe that an individual has the right to make their own health decisions while maintaining their privacy and without interference from the government."

Nick Hess

"Yes, I do support a woman's right to choose. Oregon does not have any major laws on the books restricting access to abortion. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, my administration will not push for any new laws. I believe any abortion restrictions must come from the voters of Oregon."

Dr. Bud Pierce

"As a pro-life governor, Bud will always support life over death and will sign any pro-life legislation that come to his desk. Bud will focus on encouraging policies that support women throughout pregnancy, education, and increased care for young parents."

Stan Pulliam

"As a pro-life advocate, I’ve waited for this moment my whole life like so many others. With Roe v. Wade potentially falling to the ground, voters deserve to know if self-proclaimed 'pro-life' candidates are serious about their beliefs or have just been speaking like the politicians who hide behind excuses.

"This issue is no longer theory when it comes to policy. Oregon's next governor appears to be positioned to either advocate for protecting the most unborn lives possible or excusing the continued sanctioned killing of the unborn (at taxpayer expense).

"Let me state this clearly now for all to know: As governor, I will do all we can to protect the unborn and to ensure we are no longer a tourism state for abortion."

Bill Sizemore

"I hope the SCOTUS overturns Roe v. Wade. That decision was one of the most painfully obvious cases of judicial activism in American history, creating a constitutional right to an abortion out of thin air.

"I believe life begins at conception and should be protected, except in the most extreme cases. I do not support the right to abortion, which I consider the taking of an innocent human life. By the time the average mother finds out she is pregnant (at around six weeks), the unborn child has his or her own DNA, blood separate from the mother, a detectable heartbeat and measurable brainwaves. So every abortion takes a human life.

"Given the laws already on the books in Oregon, I would begin by vetoing any budget item that contained taxpayer funding for abortion. I am appalled by the appropriation of $15 million to fund abortion services for mothers from Idaho, when we should not be forcing taxpayers to fund abortions for mothers in Oregon."

Stefan Strek

"Ask my girlfriend."

Marc Thielman

"Oregon is at the farthest end of the far left spectrum of 'abortion rights' and access in the United States. Many Oregonians do not realize that in Oregon it is currently legal to abort a child up until and even during birth. This is barbaric and out of touch with the majority of people’s view of abortion restrictions and access. As governor, I will require full informed consent of every medical procedure and treatment, including for abortion.

"The practical steps I will take to raise awareness for the babies are: requiring ultrasounds prior to every abortion as a provision of 'highest quality care standard' championed by OHA, leading a statewide ballot initiative to remove taxpayer funding for abortion, and championing crisis pregnancy centers and services. I will work to increase adoptions in our state and support expectant and single mothers with unplanned pregnancies.

"I am going to be the human rights governor, and I will advocate for all citizens' rights: for the born and unborn to fulfill their potential. As separate humans, babies have the same protected constitutional rights to life, liberty and happiness as parents since they are genetically distinct persons."

Bob Tiernan

"Oregon currently allows abortions up to the point of birth, that’s not OK. As the only leading candidate for governor who’s been an attorney for decades, I will respect and implement the Supreme Court decision.

"Moreover, I have the legal insights to work with the Legislature for changes. If the Legislature is not willing to help protect the unborn, as governor, I can line-item veto budget bills — especially bills that pay people coming from out of state to get an abortion or state-funded abortions.

"I am pro-life and believe unborn children have the same right to life as the rest of us; the same as my children and grandchildren."

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Where Oregon's candidates for governor in 2022 stand on abortion