Heidi Gansert makes misleading claims about reproductive health care in mailings

Recent mailings misrepresent Gansert’s reproductive health care voting record

RENO, NEVADA – As attacks against reproductive rights and health care access are reaching a fever pitch nationally, Heidi Gansert, the incumbent candidate for state Senate District 15, is attempting to mislead voters about her record opposing reproductive freedom and abortion rights.

In her latest campaign mailings, Gansert claims that she “won’t think twice about crossing party lines to get the job done.” But when it came time to defend the Trust Nevada Women Act, the state’s first proactive abortion legislation since the state codified Roe v Wade in the 1990s and one of the country’s most significant pieces of legislation on reproductive freedom passed in 2019, Gansert stuck to party lines and voted against the bill, despite it being supported by 8 in 10 Nevadans. Instead of serving her constituents, Senator Gansert voted to put rights at risk, including criminalizing the provision of basic reproductive health care. Those are not the actions of someone who values reproductive freedom over partisanship.

Statement from Lindsey Harmon, Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Votes Nevada:

"Make no mistake, abortion rights and reproductive health care are on the line this November. In a year when the current president of the United States has made clear that his aim is to overturn Roe v. Wade and state legislatures across the country are passing unconstitutional abortion bans by the dozens, Nevadans need to be sure their representatives truly support reproductive health care and rights in all instances. Gansert simply cannot be trusted to do that.”

Statement from Caroline Mello-Roberson, Nevada State Director, NARAL Pro-Choice Nevada:

“The stakes for reproductive freedom and abortion access could not be higher in 2020, which is why we need leaders who will faithfully uphold Silver State values of trusting Nevadans to make our own personal decisions about pregnancy without interference from politicians. It’s past time that Nevadans living in the 15th Senate District are represented by a leader who shares these values, and that means unseating Sen. Gansert this November and electing Wendy Jauegui-Jackins, who will be a true champion for reproductive freedom.”

Background:

Gansert’s voting record speaks for itself. In addition to voting against the Trust Nevada Women Act, she has also voted against:

Expanding eligibility for Medicaid as well as voting twice against efforts to enshrine protections included in the Affordable Care Act into Nevada law.
Escalating penalties for wage discrimination in 2017, making clear that her allegiance to business interests far outweighs those of Nevada’s women and families while simultaneously voting for the ERA.
Expanding vote by mail for the 2020 general elections, endangering the health and safety of Nevadans concerned about the spread of COVID-19 while exercising their right to vote.

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