On November 3rd, the state of Texas will be at a crossroads over reproductive healthcare as voters decide between Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) and State Rep. James Talarico (D) for the US Senate seat.
The candidates’ views on abortion couldn’t be more different. Paxton has been an ardent supporter of the end of Roe v. Wade and has actively sought legal action against medical providers performing abortions under life-threatening circumstances. Meanwhile, Talarico has criticized what he describes as “extreme” abortion bans and has proposed measures to tackle Texas’ maternal mortality rates.
Contrasting Views on Texas’ Abortion Ban
Ken Paxton has been vocal about his anti-abortion advocacy. Following the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, Paxton labeled previous abortion rights as “unconstitutional and unconscionable,” and has expressed enthusiasm about enforcing Texas’ stringent abortion restrictions. The state’s ban, which prohibits abortions from conception except in extremely limited cases, has been a cornerstone of his policy.
Paxton opposed the Biden administration’s stance that the EMTALA law necessitates abortions in emergencies, arguing it would convert emergency rooms into abortion clinics.
Conversely, James Talarico contends that Texas’ current abortion laws have stripped women and medical professionals of essential autonomy. He has articulated his opposition from a faith perspective, noting, “I don’t believe that’s a place for the government. I don’t believe that’s a place for the state.”
Talarico has criticized the narrow scope of medical exceptions under Texas’ ban, citing cases where women face life-threatening risks. “They should be deeply disturbed by this abortion ban in Texas because we have women who are literally dying in emergency room parking lots because doctors are too afraid to provide the healthcare they need,” he stated during an interview.
Lauren Miller, a Dallas mother, experienced the consequences firsthand. She needed a procedure to save one of her twins but had to travel to Colorado due to Texas’ restrictions. “The decision between Ken Paxton and James Talarico comes down to a simple question: If you believe that a politician should make life or death medical decisions for you and your kids, by all means vote for Ken Paxton. If you believe you and your doctor know your medical needs better than a politician, vote for James Talarico,” she shared in an interview.
In support of women’s healthcare rights, Talarico has introduced HB 819 to repeal pre-Roe abortion laws, though it stalled in the legislative process.
Medical Exceptions and Legislative Action
Amanda Zurawski’s case, involving near-fatal sepsis, highlighted the need for clearer medical exceptions in Texas’ laws. Paxton opposed a legal challenge aimed at clarifying these exceptions, celebrating when the Texas Supreme Court upheld the state’s stringent laws. “I’ve met James (Talarico) as a state legislator and he’s been supportive of my work and of the other women who were plaintiffs,” Zurawski commented.
Kate Cox, another affected individual, had to leave the state for a necessary abortion after Paxton threatened legal action against her medical team. “Ken Paxton threatened to come after me if I had performed the abortion,” Dr. Damla Karsan recounted.
Talarico, in contrast, has consistently advocated for medical autonomy and co-sponsored SB 31, allowing medical intervention in life-threatening cases.
Addressing Maternal Mortality
Texas grapples with a maternal mortality rate that surpasses the national average, disproportionately affecting women of color. The family of Tierra Walker, who died from preeclampsia, has sued Paxton, alleging that state restrictions contributed to her death.
Paxton has not publicly addressed these issues, while Talarico has proposed initiatives such as improved insurance coverage and the Healthy Start program to tackle maternal health disparities.
Dr. Austin Dennard, who traveled out of state for an abortion due to her fetus’s nonviable condition, criticized Paxton’s approach to governance, highlighting the fear and confusion it sows in medical practice. “James Talarico offers something fundamentally different: trust. Trust women to know their own lives. Trust physicians who have devoted theirs to caring for them,” Dennard stated.
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