FACT BRIEF

Did Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels change his position on exceptions for an abortion ban?

Saturday, September 24, 2022

By Jacob Alabab-Moser

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YES

Tim Michels, Republican candidate for governor of Wisconsin, recently shifted his stance on whether he would back an abortion ban law with exceptions in cases of rape and incest.

In a Sept. 23, 2022 interview with The Dan O'Donnell Show, Michels said as governor, he would sign a bill passed by the state legislature including such exceptions in the interest of a "representative democracy."

The statement contrasted with Michels' earlier stances stretching back to 2004 when he ran for U.S. Senate. Earlier in his current campaign, Michels stated that he supported Wisconsin's 1849 law, which has no such exceptions.

At a Sept. 6 campaign event, Michels said he was rejecting pressure to "soften" his view on abortion to include exceptions for rape and incest. "I'm going to stick with what I know is right — and that's what I'm going to do to the bitter end."

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

The Dan O'Donnell Show Michels Says he would sign abortion ban with rape, incest exceptions

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Tim Michels now says he would back legislation allowing abortions in case of rape and incest despite decades of opposition

WISN Michels: Would sign abortion ban with rape/incest exceptions

SoundCloud Tim Michels says his abortion stance will not soften by DPW Research

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