MADISON, Wis. – Ahead of last night’s Senate debate, Wisconsinites across the state called out Ron Johnson for his dangerous stance against reproductive freedom. Voters, including doctors and Wisconsinites with personal stories, blasted Johnson for supporting legislation that makes no exceptions for abortions – even in cases of rape and incest.
Watch the press conferences and see what speakers had to say, in part, below:
Watch full press conference here
Christine Dunbeck, Wisconsinite: “[Terminating my pregnancy] was a horrific and traumatic experience. But, that’s the kind of world we’re in right now, thanks to Ron Johnson’s anti-choice record. If I had gone to Ron Johnson asking for help, he would have told me I ‘can move,’ because he doesn’t think the reversal of Roe v. Wade is a ‘huge threat to women’s health.’ Senator Johnson – I could have died if this had happened after you took your victory lap on Roe v. Wade being overturned and the 1849 statute that bans nearly all abortions went into effect…
Emily Siegrist, Nurse: “Let me tell you, working in the emergency department, I’ve seen how important reproductive choice is. In some cases, it can be the difference between life and death….Johnson doesn’t care about any of this though – how could he when he’s co-sponsored eight national abortion bans and legislation that made no exceptions for rape or incest?…If Ron Johnson is re-elected, he will continue his self-serving and dangerous crusade to take away our basic rights.”
Watch full press conference here
Dr. Kristin Lyerly, OB/GYN: “When determining the best course of patient care, I have one goal in mind: to keep my patients safe, healthy, and alive….Ron Johnson dismissed what life would be like for Wisconsinites if Roe v. Wade was overturned, saying it wouldn’t be a ‘huge threat to women’s health.’ As a medical professional who specializes in reproductive health, let me say clearly — Senator Ron Johnson, you are dangerously wrong….He’s spent his career sponsoring abortion bans, including a bill with no exceptions for rape or incest.”
Kelly McCord, Mother: “Thanks to Ron Johnson and other Wisconsin Republicans, I am worried about what kind of future my children will have. They are growing up with less rights than I had, and I can only wonder how much worse it will get if people like Ron Johnson stay in office….Ron Johnson is completely out of touch with Wisconsinites — we deserve a Senator who is going to fight like hell for us and keep medical decisions between a woman and her doctor.”
Kate Hancock-Cook, Wisconsinite: “At the end of the day, Johnson doesn’t care about us. He only cares about the people who line his pockets. I can’t stand by and watch Senator Ron Johnson continue trying to roll the clock back to 1849. That’s why I’m voting for Mandela Barnes – I want to give Senator Baldwin a partner who will push Wisconsin forward. It’s time to vote Ron Johnson out of office and send him packing.”
Watch full press conference here
Dr. Eliza Bennet, OB/GYN: “As a doctor let me say this: the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and the implementation of the 1849 statute is endangering Wisconsinites’ lives….Senator Johnson doesn’t care about the reality now facing Wisconsinites. He callously claimed that a near total ban on abortion isn’t a ‘threat’ to women’s health and that if people don’t like the laws they ‘can move.’… For the sake of Wisconsin’s health and future, we need to vote Ron Johnson out of office and elect Mandela Barnes to the U.S. Senate.”
Rep. Greta Neubauer: “Thanks to Sen. Johnson, Wisconsin is now operating under an archaic abortion ban — one that was written into law before the Civil War. You could say that Johnson got exactly what he wanted. He cosponsored a Personhood bill that made no exceptions for rape or incest, and he’s supported seven additional national abortion bans.…I truly fear what six more years of Senator Johnson in office would mean for our reproductive freedom….This November, we need to elect Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes to the U.S. Senate.”
