We asked Charlotte-area, statewide candidates about Roe v. Wade. Here’s what they said.
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North Carolina could see new restrictions on abortion if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, as the high court appears to be poised to do, according to a draft ruling published by Politico on Monday.
Candidates running in this year’s U.S. Senate race and in each of North Carolina’s 14 congressional districts would be able to draft and vote on possible federal legislation related to abortion. And at the state level, lawmakers in the Senate and House could pass legislation restricting or banning abortion within North Carolina if the Supreme Court lifts the federal protections of Roe.
As part of our Voter Guide for the statewide primary elections on May 17, The Charlotte Observer and The News & Observer asked all candidates running for U.S. House, Senate and the state legislature what should happen if the Supreme Court overturns Roe. Below are the answers for each candidate who returned our questionnaires.
U.S. Senate
Jen Banwart, Republican candidate
If Roe v. Wade is overturned, what will and should happen is that each state will determine the legality of abortion. Each state must consider the input of its individuals (not national PACs or lobbyists) alongside the input of medical experts to make the most accurate and representative decisions.
Lee Brian, Republican candidate
If the Supreme Court of the United States tries to overturn it, I will create a bill that states life begins at conception regardless of how the child was conceived.
Leonard Bryant, Republican candidate
Planned Parenthood must be defunded. Life in the womb must be respected and preserved.
Drew Bulecza, Republican candidate
Planned Parenthood needs to go away. States should be handling health care and educating/counseling. The federal government should not be involved.
Marjorie Eastman, Republican candidate
I am Pro-Life and truly value the life of the unborn. As a mother of a son who survived cancer at 6 months old, I know how precious every life is. I do believe in exceptions, and I am also a strong advocate for adoption.
David Flaherty, Republican candidate
It should probably go back to being a state issue limited only by our Constitution and its amendments.
Pat McCrory, Republican candidate
The same thing that happens with every Supreme Court decision: the law should be followed.
Mark Walker, Republican candidate
States should immediately move to protect pre-born children and their mothers from the abortion industry. I will continue to support the sanctity of human life at all stages and look for ways we can provide the resources and support women need when facing unexpected pregnancy.
Greg Antoine, Democratic candidate
I believe abortion is the business of the patient and treating physician. In the instances of rape, incest and life of the mother, there should be no restrictions.
Cheri Beasley, Democratic candidate
Congress must protect reproductive health and codify Roe v. Wade. It’s a human right, a constitutional right, and essential health care. I will always fight to protect women’s rights to make their own health care decisions, including by supporting the Women’s Health Protection Act.
James Carr, Democratic candidate
If elected, I will propose a privacy bill of rights, which will include a right to our own bodies.
Alyssia Rose-Katherine Hammond, Democratic candidate
A women’s/girl’s body is her body her choice all the time, every time and at any time.
Tobias LaGrone, Democratic candidate
Abortion should be a medical decision that is only considered in the most extreme circumstances like rape, incest, or medical life saving measures to save the mother.
Overturning Roe v Wade will initially massively increase birth rates, especially among low-income women, eventually leading to increased poverty levels, increased (violent) crime and economic catastrophe. In addition, it will open the door to reverse many civil liberties gained since 1960.
Rett Newton, Democratic candidate
If overturned, then each state would need to pass legislation that protects women’s reproductive health care. At least 15 states and Washington, D.C., have enacted laws that would automatically keep abortion legal if Roe is overturned.
Marcus Williams, Democratic candidate
As a lawyer, I don’t answer hypotheticals of that nature.
Republican candidates Ted Budd, Benjamin E. Griffiths, Kenneth Harper, Jr., Charles Kenneth Moss, Lichia Sibhatu and Debora Tshiovo as well as Democratic candidates Chrelle Booker and Constance Johnson didn’t respond to the questionnaire.
Robert Colon, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, didn’t respond to the Roe v. Wade question, but he responded to others.
U.S. House
Jeff Jackson, Democratic candidate for 14th Congressional District
For years, it’s been clear that the overwhelming majority of Americans — roughly 70% — do not want Roe v. Wade overturned. If it happens — and it very well could, under our deeply conservative Supreme Court — the backlash will be substantial. I believe that this is a matter best left to a woman and her doctor and I will continue to support policies that protect that freedom and oppose attempts to take that freedom away, as I have for the last eight years in the state Senate.
Ram Mammadov, Democratic Candidate for 14th Congressional District
It must be codified, where Congress must pass the law to affirm right to an abortion without interference.
Pat Harrigan, Republican candidate for 14th Congressional District
The same thing that happens every other time the US Supreme Court makes a decision: it should be treated as the law of the land and people should abide by it.
Jonathan Simpson, Republican candidate for 14th Congressional District
Congress should work to enact legislation that brings us more in line with all other western democracies. This means that we should at least seek to limit elective abortions beyond 10 to 14 weeks gestation, which is the international norm. We must depart from the company of China and North Korea, who also have no limits on elective abortions, and join the rest of the civilized world in restricting the practice. Further restrictions or exemptions could be left up to each state.
Rep. Alma Adams, Democratic incumbent running for re-election in 12th Congressional District
I remember when women did not have access to safe and legal abortion. We must never return to those dark ages again. But the U.S. Supreme Court may very well rule that Roe should no longer be considered the law of the land. This would have devastating impacts on women, particularly women of color. I have co-sponsored and voted for the Women’s Health Protection Act [H.R. 3755], which would prohibit any effort by any state to restrict the provision of, and access to, abortion services.
John Sharkey, Democratic candidate for 12th Congressional District
A new lawsuit should be filed challenging the right for men to have sex with a woman after they have previously had sex under any circumstances and he has to pay her for the next 18 years for having sex with her that one time. It sounds absurd but that is what the overturning of Roe amounts to for a woman. A woman’s right to her body must be protected.
Tyler Lee, Republican candidate for 12th Congressional District
Abortion is not mentioned in the Constitution. Therefore, it is rightfully a state issue.
Andrew Huffman and Nalini Joseph, Republican candidates for the 12th Congressional District, did not respond to The Charlotte Observer’s candidate questionnaire.
N.C. General Assembly
Tricia Cotham, Democratic candidate for NC House District 112
North Carolina should act now to codify Roe v. Wade to affirm the right to an abortion without interference.
Johnell ‘Jay’ Holman, Democratic candidate for N.C. House District 112
A moment of pause. Let the standard exist.
Yolanda Holmes, Democratic candidate for N.C. House District 112
Roe v. Wade has been debated by many over the years. As a woman, I can understand that there may be situations or circumstances that justify the desire to have an abortion. I believe in the right to choose. If the law was overturned, it would be up to each state to pick a side. North Carolina should continue to honor women, our rights, our history and the right to choose.
Kelly Alexander, Democratic candidate for NC House District 107
Amend the state constitution to include Roe protections
Scott Stone, Republican candidate for NC Senate District 42
There are many unknowns with any potential actions of the US Supreme Court, but I do believe the unborn need protection and a voice.
Rodney Moore, a Democratic who was running for N.C. House District 112, announced he’s no longer actively campaigning for the seat.
N.C. General Assembly candidates who didn’t respond to the questionnaire include: Vermanno Bowman, a Democrat running for N.C. House District 107; Ann Harlan, a Democrat running for N.C. House District 103; Laura Budd, a Democrat running for N.C. House District 103; Cheryl Russo, a Republican running for N.C. Senate District 42; Vickie Sawyer, a Republican running for N.C. Senate District 37; and Tom Fyler, a Republican running for N.C. Senate District 37.
This story was originally published May 3, 2022 at 12:19 PM with the headline "We asked Charlotte-area, statewide candidates about Roe v. Wade. Here’s what they said.."
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