The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade and eliminated the constitutional right to abortion. Governor Tim Walz has promised to protect the right to abortion while in office but the conservative candidate for Minnesota Governor, Scott Jensen, is threatening to ban abortion in Minnesota without exceptions for rape or incest.

 

Scott Jensen’s extreme anti-choice policies would push Minnesota far to the right and turn back the clock on women’s rights. And that is unacceptable.

 

An extreme abortion ban without exceptions for rape or incest

 

Scott Jensen intends to enact an extreme ban on abortions in Minnesota without any exceptions for rape or incest. He even supports a Texas-style law that bans abortion as early as six weeks, criminalizes abortion, allows strangers to collect $10,000 for reporting women who have abortions, and fines or arrests doctors who perform abortions.

 

Matt Birk is just as dangerous for abortion rights 

 

Scott Jensen’s running mate, Matt Birk, is just as dangerous. In 2013, Birk was exposed for his extreme anti-choice politics. Birk even refused to attend a White House event with his NFL teammates because President Obama supported a woman’s right to choose. 

 

Matt Birk also said rape victims shouldn’t be able to get an abortion. Minnesota is one of two states lacking a statute that terminates parental rights for alleged rapists. So if Matt Birk and Scott Jensen get their way, those who survive sexual assault not only will be stripped of their right to choose but would have to share custody with their predator. 

 

That’s outrageous. 

 

The right to abortion in Minnesota is on the line 

 

Minnesota is not immune to attacks on abortion. In fact, conservatives in the Minnesota House have introduced bills to ban abortion in each of the last three legislative sessions.

 

With our neighboring states prepared to ban abortion now that Roe has been overturned, Minnesota remains a crucial provider of abortion care in the Midwest. In fact, Minnesota abortion providers are already seeing an overwhelming influx of patients from other states looking for the care they need.

 

If Scott Jensen follows through on his threat, abortion access will be on the line for millions of women in Minnesota and across the region. 

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