Tester and Sheehy Clash Over Abortion in Key Montana Senate Race

In a race that could decide the U.S. Senate control, Montana Democrat Sen. Jon Tester attacks Republican Tim Sheehy’s abortion stance.

September 26, 2024

In a pivotal race for the U.S. Senate, Montana’s Democratic Sen. Jon Tester is scrutinizing his Republican opponent, Tim Sheehy, over his abortion stance. This Senate race is one of several critical contests where Democrats are defending their slim majority. If Republicans capture Tester’s seat, they could control the Senate.

Tester’s campaign launched a series of Facebook ads in early September, alleging Sheehy supports a total abortion ban without exceptions. One ad declared, “Tim Sheehy wants to take away the freedom to choose what happens with your own body, and give that power to politicians. Sheehy would let politicians like him ban abortion, with no exceptions for rape or to save a woman’s life, and criminalize women. We can’t let Tim Sheehy take our freedom away.”

SHEEHY’S ANTI-ABORTION STANCE ALLOWS FOR RAPE, HEALTH EXCEPTIONS

Sheehy’s campaign website labels him “proudly pro-life” and he is campaigning against abortion. He opposes a measure on Montana’s November ballot that aims to amend the state constitution to protect abortion rights.

In a May interview with Montana Public Radio, Sheehy stated, “I am proudly pro-life and support common sense protections for when a baby can feel pain, as well as exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother, and I believe any further limits must be left to each state.” During a June debate with Tester, he reiterated his stance, saying, “I’ll always protect the three rights for women: rape, incest, life of the mother.”

Contrary to Tester’s ad, the issues section of Sheehy’s campaign website does not state a no-exceptions stance or indicate he would criminalize women who have abortions.

OUR RULING

Tester’s ad claims Sheehy “would let politicians like him ban abortion, with no exceptions for rape or to save a woman’s life, and criminalize women.” However, Sheehy has explicitly stated he supports exceptions for rape and the life of the mother. The ad misrepresents Sheehy’s position by ignoring his stated exceptions, giving a misleading impression.

We rate it Mostly False.