SouthernWorldwide.com – A Democratic candidate for governor in Maine, who is slated to campaign with Senator Bernie Sanders, has been presenting himself to voters as a pro-choice advocate. However, his past actions and voting record suggest a different stance.
During his time as a state lawmaker, the candidate received a perfect 100% rating from the Maine Right to Life organization. This designation signifies a voting record that was entirely in line with pro-life policies.
This shift in position by the candidate highlights the significant impact of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson decision. This ruling eliminated the constitutional right to an abortion, transforming the issue from a federal debate to one decided at the state level.
In their 2022 ruling, the Supreme Court determined that the Constitution does not explicitly guarantee a right to abortion. Consequently, individual states are now responsible for establishing their own regulations regarding when and under what circumstances a pregnancy can be legally terminated.
Following the Dobbs decision, Maine, with the support of this candidate, enacted measures to expand abortion access. These expansions included the removal of restrictions on late-term abortions.
This legislative action drew commendation for the candidate from Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest provider of abortion services. The organization publicly praised the candidate and other lawmakers for acting in the best interests of Maine residents.
However, a decade prior, in 2011, the candidate had cast a vote in favor of a bill that would have affirmed personhood for the unborn. This action directly contradicted his current pro-choice platform.
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Two years later, in 2013, he again voted to advance legislation that would have mandated counseling requirements for women considering an abortion. This bill aimed to provide them with second-opinion resources to explore alternatives to ending a pregnancy.
While both of these legislative efforts ultimately failed, they were significant enough to draw the attention of abortion rights groups. At the time, these groups did not view the candidate favorably due to his voting record.
In 2014, EMILY’s List, a prominent pro-abortion advocacy group, launched a substantial television advertising campaign targeting the candidate. This campaign aimed to highlight his past pro-life votes.
During the 2014 election cycle, the candidate’s primary opponent stated that politicians should not interfere in a woman’s personal medical decisions regarding her pregnancy.
As recently as October 2022, just four months after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the candidate publicly indicated that he was still grappling with the issue of abortion. This statement suggested internal conflict regarding his stance.
Since announcing his candidacy for governor in May of last year, the candidate appears to have resolved this internal struggle. His public statements now firmly align with a pro-choice position.
He has articulated that the freedom to decide whether and when to start a family is fundamental to American liberty and identity. He emphasizes that this deeply personal decision should not be dictated by politicians or judges.
On the anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, he pledged to continue opposing efforts to diminish abortion rights and to advocate for reproductive freedom in Maine.
Senator Bernie Sanders, a long-time supporter of abortion rights and a consistent pro-choice candidate, officially endorsed the candidate on Friday. Sanders described him as the governor that “working Mainers need.”
Sanders highlighted the candidate’s lifelong commitment to fighting for the working class, citing his background as a logger and his tenure in the Maine state legislature. He asserted that the candidate understands the challenges faced by working Mainers because he is part of that demographic.
Furthermore, Sanders noted the candidate’s long-standing involvement in the progressive working-class movement. He stated that the candidate consistently aligns with those who believe healthcare is a human right, that workers deserve a living wage, and that government should serve all citizens, not just the wealthy and well-connected.
Notably, the candidate’s campaign website does not prominently feature abortion access as a top priority. This omission has raised some questions given his current public stance.
In Maine, there are no strict legal cutoffs that prohibit abortions at any stage of pregnancy. However, certain protections are in place after fetal viability, typically around 24 to 26 weeks of gestation. Late-term abortions are permissible with the approval of a licensed physician.
