WISCONSIN – Tonight, at 7PM Republican candidate Tim Michels will debate reproductive health champion and incumbent Gov. Tony Evers in the Gubernatorial debate. Governor Evers vetoed 5 pieces of anti-abortion legislation in the last legislative session and the overturning of Roe v. Wade means that whoever is elected Governor will play a critical role in the future of abortion access in Wisconsin.
Tim Michels has a long history with the anti-choice movement opposing abortion with no exceptions. Let’s take a look at Tim Michels’ history:
- Michels has consistently taken an extreme stance on a woman’s ability to make her own health care decisions.
- According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Michels favors reversing Roe vs. Wade, the decision that legalized abortion, and he opposes abortion in all cases, including rape, incest and when the woman’s health is at risk.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 10/31/04]
- Tim Michels declared that he believes ‘life begins at conception’ and said he would support a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. [Capital Times, 9/15/04]
- He pledged to introduce or cosponsor a “Human Life Amendment” banning abortion nationwide. [100% Pro-Life PAC, Inc.]
- He said banning abortion in the case of rape is not unreasonable. [Wisconsin State Journal, 6/13/04]
- Tim Michels supports eliminating funding for Planned Parenthood. [MichelsforSenate.com]
- He called abortion a fringe issue. [La Crosse Tribune, 1/28/04]
- Tim Michels’ Radio Ad said Michels Believes Life Begins at Conception, and He’ll Fight to Protect the Unborn: “For me, its simple… Life begins at conception.” [Portage Daily Register, 8/5/04]
- He received a 100% ratings from Pro Life Wisconsin and Right to Life, both extreme organizations fighting to abolish abortion and further attack birth control access. [MichelsforSenate.com]
- Tim Michels donated $100,000 to fake crisis pregnancy centers that do not provide abortion services, but “counsel” patients into not recieving abortion care. [TIMOTHY & BARBARA MICHELS FAMILY FOUNDATION]
- Tim Michels’ believes that pregnancy in a 12-year-old girl following rape “was created by God.” [WPR 10/13/22]
- On the 1849 criminal abortion ban, which contains no exceptions for rape and incest, Tim Michels said the ban, “is an exact mirror of my position and my position is an exact mirror of the 1849 law as well. [WPR 9/23/22]Tim Michels repeatedly opposes exceptions for rape and incest. [Twitter]
- “I’m not gonna soften my stance on abortion. And I think at this point, anyhow, I won’t do it, but at this point anyhow, I think it would actually be a negative. I’m winning because people see a strong leader, a man of conviction, a man who doesn’t waffle, a man who doesn’t flip-flop. I’m gonna stick with what I know is right. And that’s what I’m gonna do until the bitter end.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
Statement from Steven Webb, Executive Director, PPAWI
“If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck… it’s a duck. Tim Michels’ extreme positions on abortion have been clear for more than 2 decades. At tonight’s debate it is important that we keep in mind the long history Tim Michels has of opposing abortion in all cases, even rape, incest and the health of the mother. Political leaders shouldn’t be making health care decisions and Michels has no business deciding what’s best for Wisconsin women.”
