DCCC - Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

05/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/08/2024 02:38

NEWLY DISCOVERED AUDIO: “Tom Barrett Opposes Rape, Incest Exceptions For Abortion Bans”

Heartland Signal : "Barrett's campaign did not respond to an email request to clarify his views on rape and incest exceptions, or whether he would support a federal abortion ban if he were elected to Congress."

In late 2022, Tom Barrett appeared on an episode of Charlie LeDuff's "No BS News Hour" where he defended his far-right views on reproductive freedom.

As new reporting from Heartland Signal uncovered, Barrett danced around the issue of exceptions for rape or incest in the case of a national abortion ban - saying that he doesn't support exceptions in cases of rape and incest.

Don't forget: Tom Barrett clearly sees nothing wrong with his draconian anti-choice record, claiming earlier this year that reproductive rights won't be an issue this November because his "opponent is not a woman."

DCCC Spokesperson Aidan Johnson:
"Tom Barrett has consistently proven himself a threat to the reproductive freedoms Michiganders rely on. He is the same person he was two years ago: a dangerous politician too extreme for Congress."

  • Congressional candidate Tom Barrett made an appearance on Charlie LeDuff's "No BS News Hour" in 2022, where the Republican refused to support rape and incest exceptions for a hypothetical abortion ban.

  • During the interview, LeDuff brought up Barrett's stance on abortion, where the former state senator indicated that he only supports exceptions in the case to save the life of the mother. When LeDuff pressed Barrett on rape and incest exceptions, Barrett danced around the issue and seemingly indicated that he does not support them.

  • "So again, I'm telling you that I believe life is worth protecting and life is valuable, and every life is important. And it tears at that fabric of life," Barrett said.

  • Barrett went on to explain that he volunteers at pregnancy crisis centers with his wife. Crisis pregnancy centers are widely notorious for pretending to be medical clinics and spreading medical disinformation in order to intercept women that might get an abortion.

  • "Again, I am not someone who is in favor of abortion as a form of birth control or all these other scenarios that represent the overwhelming majority of abortions that take place in our country and in our state. I am someone who believes life is valuable, and we ought to protect all life to the extent that we're able. There are certainly options that we have to help women in a truly crisis situation."

  • Barrett's campaign did not respond to an email request to clarify his views on rape and incest exceptions, or whether he would support a federal abortion ban if he were elected to Congress.

  • Barrett served in the Michigan state legislature from 2015-2023, as both a representative and a state senator. In 2022, Barrett unsuccessfully ran for Michigan's 7th Congressional District seat against incumbent Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D) in what was one of the most expensive races that cycle.

  • At the time, Barrett took a firm stance against abortion in wake of the Supreme Court of the United States overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022. Barrett opposed a state referendum to make reproductive freedom a constitutional right in Michigan, calling it "pretty extreme." Barrett also removed the "values" section from his website in 2022, which said that he will "always work to protect life from conception." Barrett's current website does not mention abortion at all.

  • Barrett is again seeking Michigan's 7th Congressional seat, and he will face fellow state Senator Curtis Hertel (D) this November. In April, a spokesperson from Barrett's campaign told CNN that his stance on abortion has not changed. In February, Barrett indicated that he did not believe abortion would be a big factor in 2024 since his opponent is not a woman this time.