The Dangerous Records on Abortion of Doug Mastriano, Ted Budd, Mehmet Oz, and David McCormick

The stakes for this November’s elections have never been higher: The Supreme Court plans to take away our power to control our own bodies by overturning Roe v Wade — a decision that gave us the constitutional right to an abortion nearly 50 years ago. Poll after poll shows that voters want to elect candidates who will support safe, legal abortion. The issue has been front and center in campaigns across the country. Despite widespread public support for abortion rights, the candidates who won last night’s Republican primaries in Pennsylvania and North Carolina are boastfully, and dangerously, on the wrong side of voters.

In Pennsylvania, where abortion rights are not protected under the commonwealth’s constitution, the door is wide open for state politicians hostile to sexual and reproductive health and rights to deny abortion care to millions of Pennsylvanians. A champion of abortion rights in the governor’s office is the only way to keep dangerous abortion restrictions from making their way to the state. Yet Doug Mastriano has said he wants to end abortions and use executive orders to restrict access.  

Governor races are not the only cause for concern. Just last week, senators who oppose abortion rights blocked passage of the Women’s Health Protection Act, legislation that would have helped protect the right to abortion nationwide. Some of these same senators now want to pass a nationwide abortion ban. This makes keeping control of the Senate out of Mitch McConnell’s hands a top priority. Yet in North Carolina, Republicans nominated Ted Budd, who not only signed onto an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to overturn Roe, but also expressed his support for the Texas six-week abortion ban that encourages people to spy on their neighbors for $10,000 rewards. And no matter who ultimately comes out on top in Pennsylvania between Mehmet Oz or Dave McCormick, they will bring a record that is hostile to Pennsylvanians’ reproductive rights.

Jenny Lawson, executive director, Planned Parenthood Votes:

“Our reproductive rights are under attack and we need champions at all levels of government to fight back. But Doug Mastriano and Ted Budd have made it clear that they will actively work to roll back the clock on abortion rights, and Mehmet Oz and Dave McCormick are no better. Pennsylvanians and North Carolinians will not let that happen, and Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations will spend the next six months ensuring voters know exactly what’s at stake.”

The candidates who won the GOP primaries last night, Doug Mastriano for governor in Pennsylvania, either Mehmet Oz or Dave McCormick for senator in Pennsylvania, and Ted Budd for senator in North Carolina, all have dangerous records on abortion:

Doug Mastriano

• Supports a Texas-style abortion ban
• Promised to use executive actions to restrict abortion and push for legislative reinforcements: “So on day one, I have a series of executive orders, and just for everyone's comfort out there, executive orders are powers that a governor can wield. But you obviously want to back up the legislation. So they’re codified in the law. So after my eight years are up, the next governor can't overturn them.”  [Doug Mastriano, Southern York Meet and Greet, PA, 5/3/22]
• Touts his extreme views:
  • “I'm the most pro-life guy out there.” [Bannon’s Pandemic War Room, 5/3/22].
  • “And everyone knows where I stand on it, very clear. Life starts at conception.” [Doug Mastriano, Facebook Live, PA, 05/03/22].
• Wants a total abortion ban, without exceptions:
  • “I Want Abortion To End, Period.” [Doug Mastriano, Turley Talks Facebook Live, PA, 05/03/22]
  • “I Don’t Give A Way For Exceptions.” [WJET (ABC), 5/3/22]

Mehmet Oz

• Supports the Supreme Court ending Roe: When asked on the Chris Stigall radio “ if the Supreme Court ultimately rules to gut what would be Roe v Wade as we know it, which is considered sort of the established abortion law of the land, if this current Supreme Court undoes that, you would support that” Oz responded saying “Very much so.” ” [Chris Stigall, 3/1/22]
• Is against federal legislation to protect abortion rights nationwide: “I’m glad to see the Senate defeat this legislation (the Women’s Health Protection Act). As PA's next senator, I will always fight to protect the innocent and defend the dignity of life.”
• Believes that life begins at conception: “I’m strongly pro-life believe. I believe life begins at conception” [WHP-AM, 1/24/22] 

Dave McCormick

• Believes that life begins at conception: According to PoliticsPA, “He quickly hit upon some of his stances, including how life begins at conception, China as an existential threat and continuing the trade policies of former President Donald Trump.”
• Wants Roe overturned and the PA state legislature to pass anti-abortion bills: “My question is, what are your specific plans to fight the pro-abortion lobby in Washington?” McCormick: “Well, listen, we're at a particular moment, as you know, where Roe v. Wade is under great consideration. And if Roe v.Wade is revoked and this decision will go back to the states, and I have a lot of confidence that our PA legislature will push us much further down the path of making abortions much more likely and supporting life.” [Edinboro Meet & Greet, 3/5/22]

Ted Budd

• Is against the Women’s Health Protection Act
• Signed an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to overturn Roe
• Signed an amicus brief supporting a medically unnecessary law requiring all abortion providers to have admitting privileges at local hospitals
• Supports Texas’s abortion ban at six weeks: “The Texas heartbeat act is a monumental step forward in the movement to protect unborn life. #Prolife”
• Supports the Hyde Amendment: “Let's show that this house stands with life, believes in science, and opposes the evil of abortion.”
• Believes Roe was wrong: “On this day 48 years ago, Roe V. Wade was passed wrongfully and tragically by the supreme court.”
• Believes life begins at conception: “I believe life begins at conception, and I am for any legislation that leads and supports the sanctity of life.” [Statesville Record and Landmark] 
• Co-Sponsored legislation requiring women seeking an abortion to receive an ultrasound

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Planned Parenthood Votes is an independent expenditure political committee registered with the Federal Election Commission.