Abortion, reproductive rights, and body autonomy are not just political issues, they are deeply personal and emotional matters that impact the lives of women, girls, and anyone who has the potential to become pregnant. My fundamental belief is that the decision to have an abortion is complex, difficult, and private, and it should be left to the individual and their healthcare provider to determine what is best for their own body and future.
Despite federal abortion protections that were finally enumerated in Roe v. Wade (1973), the relentless efforts over the past fifteen years of state Republicans have made it increasingly difficult for individuals to access abortion care. These difficulties include insurance and public funding restrictions for abortions, required waiting periods, gestational limits, forced ultrasounds, and much more. As a result of these efforts the Guttmacher Institute has listed Wisconsin as “hostile” toward abortion rights, putting it in the same category as Texas and Alabama.
After the the Dobbs (2022) decision, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, leaving Wisconsin to debate the legality of an outdated Wisconsin law from 1849 criminalizing abortion. With the Dobbs decision casting a shadow over the future of abortion rights in Wisconsin, the urgency to protect and expand abortion rights has never been more critical.
The Wisconsin State Supreme Court recently accepted two cases regarding abortion rights, which serve as a glimmer of hope in a landscape currently riddled with barriers and restrictions, particularly for those in marginalized and low-income communities. I am dedicated to advocating for policies that ensure equitable access to abortion care and reproductive health services for all individuals.
I stand in support of a state constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to choose when, if, and how to have children. Additionally, I advocate for the removal of prohibitions on public funds for abortion services.
A 2013 study revealed that the primary reason people choose abortions is a lack of financial capacity and time. Rather than banning abortions, I also support the expansion of contraceptive education and access, as well as the implementation of family-friendly policies such as paid family leave, funding for childcare, and accepting federal Medicaid expansion. No one should ever have to face the heartbreaking decision of abortion due to financial constraints, lack of support, or limited resources. It is time to create a Wisconsin where individuals can care for their families without having to make impossible choices between their livelihood and their loved ones.
I stand with Wisconsin women and vow to protect and expand their reproductive rights and bodily autonomy.
