Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer McCormick unveiled her strategy on Thursday to advance abortion rights amidst Indiana’s stringent abortion restrictions. Her plan includes potential executive actions aimed at bypassing the Republican-dominated General Assembly if she is elected.
“I’ve traveled 92 counties, listened to a lot of Hoosiers, and by far one of the biggest issues that we’re hearing about is reproductive rights and freedoms,” McCormick stated during a virtual press briefing. “I’ve made it clear … that I trust women; I trust our health care providers. And when you do that, you allow them the autonomy to make decisions that they need to make.”
A Ball State University survey earlier this year indicated that nearly 60% of Hoosiers support legal abortion in most or all cases, reflecting significant public backing for abortion access.
Given the Republican stronghold in both legislative chambers for over a decade, McCormick outlined several executive measures she would employ under the state’s near-total abortion ban. Her proposals include shifting the focus from enforcement to compliance assistance and appointing pro-abortion rights individuals to key state boards such as the Indiana Medical Licensing Board, and possibly, the Indiana Supreme Court.
McCormick also addressed the ongoing legal dispute involving the state health department and a South Bend anti-abortion group over access to terminated pregnancy records. She emphasized safeguarding the privacy of these records from what she termed “prying government officials,” implicitly referring to Attorney General Todd Rokita’s support for the South Bend group.
McCormick plans to utilize the governor’s office as a platform to champion abortion rights and intends to introduce a state budget line item dedicated to “reproductive health funding.” While these actions won’t directly overturn the current abortion ban, they aim to exert pressure on the General Assembly.
“You have to follow the law; that’s not an option,” McCormick noted. “… but there is a lot of space on educating people, making sure that they have the resources where they need to go (and) making sure we’re having a targeted effort to keep clinics open.”
The state’s ban restricts abortion services to hospitals, stripping clinics of their licenses. McCormick also advocates for legislative changes to enable a citizen-led ballot initiative, allowing Indiana residents to vote directly on abortion issues.
Republican candidate Mike Braun, during a recent debate, remarked that the abortion ban, with exceptions for rape, fatal fetal abnormalities, and the mother’s life, “seem(ed) to be working for Hoosiers.”
Braun’s running mate, Micah Beckwith, criticized the exemptions, arguing that they prevent the ban from being absolute and called for stricter legal measures against abortion providers.
Libertarian candidate Donald Rainwater positions himself as a “pro-life Libertarian.” The election is scheduled for November 5.
This story was originally published by the Indiana Capital Chronicle
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