Montana GOP Senate nominee Tim Sheehy mentioned younger ladies are “single-issue voters” on abortion and younger voters are “indoctrinated” to assist liberal causes, in keeping with audio of the candidate talking at marketing campaign occasions final 12 months.
The audio reveals extra feedback that Sheehy made at marketing campaign stops in 2023 past the beforehand reported ones he made mocking Crow Tribe members. These newly reported feedback concern abortion, which has been a rallying situation for supporters of abortion rights and a possible vulnerability for Republicans following the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Sheehy is heard saying at one level that he met with a bunch of youthful voters a couple of months prior to speak about numerous points, and one in all them was abortion as a result of that’s the “No. 1 concern” for girls ages 19-30.
“That’s all they want to talk about. They are single-issue voters. And it’s all about pro-choice, pro-choice. Well, ‘Republicans are pro-life. They want to, they want to take my rights away and lock me up and throw me in prison.’ And I said, well, are you familiar with, with what the Democrats’ position is on abortion?” Sheehy mentioned.
He cited the Ladies’s Well being Care Act of 2021, which handed the Home however did not advance within the Senate and which is supported by Sheehy’s opponent, incumbent Sen. Jon Tester (D). Sheehy claimed the invoice would shield abortion entry “up to and including the moment of birth” and shield docs who carry out abortions after beginning.
“That’s not an abortion after they’re born, it’s called murder. Like, that is the position of the American Democrat Party,” he mentioned. “That’s the most extreme abortion legislation in the world, bar none.”
Sheehy’s remarks have been first reported by the Char-Koosta Information.
The laws wouldn’t legalize abortion up by way of beginning however somewhat forestall the federal government from prohibiting abortion entry earlier than the purpose of viability, which is normally round 24 weeks of gestation. It could additionally forestall authorities interference after viability if a medical supplier deems it needed to guard the life or well being of the mom.
Tester slammed Sheehy’s feedback in a press release on the social platform X, saying the Republican was criticizing younger ladies for “caring about their freedom to make their own decisions.”
“Tim Sheehy believes Montana women can’t think for themselves. I think that’s total bull. Women know their health and their bodies better than any out-of-state millionaire,” he wrote.
A spokesperson for Sheehy’s marketing campaign mentioned Tester is “in full desperation mode and the liberal media in DC is falling for it hook, line and sinker by pushing a fake story because they know if we are talking about Tester’s votes that have given us record-high inflation, soaring home prices, and a wide-open southern border he would be losing more than he already is.”
“Tim has been crystal clear that he is pro-life with exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother. Full stop,” the spokesperson mentioned.
“What we should be discussing is that every time Tester could have supported the commonsense Born Alive Survivors Act, which would require medical professionals to intervene if a baby survives a botched abortion, Tester sided with radical liberals and voted no,” the spokesperson continued. “That is the extreme position here and why Tester knows he is toast come November.”
Sheehy’s feedback mirror ones that Ohio GOP Senate nominee Bernie Moreno made calling many Democrats, particularly suburban ladies, “single-issue voters” on abortion, which he mentioned is “a little crazy.”
Former GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley slammed Moreno for these feedback, saying “Are you trying to lose the election?”
A Moreno spokesperson mentioned the feedback have been a “tongue-in-cheek joke” in regards to the media performing like the one situation ladies care about is abortion.
Sheehy had beforehand been heard making derogatory feedback about Crow Tribe members, saying at a fundraiser that he preferred to rope and model cattle with them, as a result of it’s “a great way to bond with all the Indians while they’re drunk at 8 a.m.”
Sheehy acknowledged at a debate with Tester that the feedback have been “insensitive” however refused to apologize.
The Montana Senate race is without doubt one of the most hotly contested within the nation and will decide which get together controls the Senate subsequent 12 months. If Republicans flip Tester’s seat, together with an nearly sure pickup in West Virginia, that might be all that’s wanted to take over the bulk.
