Press Release

In an interview on WCCO radio this afternoon, GOP Minnesota governor frontrunner Scott Jensen was explicitly asked whether he supports exception for rape and incest in abortion bans. He said no.

Jensen was explicitly pressed to clarify his position on exemptions for rape and incest. The exact transcript of the exchange follows (beginning at the 1:39:40 mark):

INTERVIEWER: “No exceptions for rape or incest?”

JENSEN: “Not unless a mother’s life is in danger.”

“Forcing rape victims who become pregnant to carry their pregnancy to term is barbaric and cruel. That dangerous far-right fantasy will become reality if Scott Jensen has his way,” said DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin. “Minnesotans deserve better than the anti-choice extremism of Scott Jensen and his fellow competitors for the GOP nomination.”

While abortion is expected to become illegal in many states if and when Roe v. Wade is overturned, Minnesota would be one of only a handful of states with no exceptions for rape victims if Scott Jensen’s ban becomes law.

Gov. Walz has promised to veto abortion bans that come to his desk.

All of the GOP candidates for Minnesota governor have promised to ban abortion outright by either appointing anti-choice judges who would overturn Doe v. Gomez, passing new legislation, or amending the state constitution.

Other anti-choice statements and actions from Scott Jensen and other leading candidates for the GOP nomination are available below.

SCOTT JENSEN

Earlier this year, Scott Jensen, when asked whether he would merely push to restrict a woman’s right to choose or whether he would push for an “outright ban,” Jensen answered that he supported an outright ban on all abortions. “I would try to ban abortion,” said Jensen. He continued, “There is no reason for us to be having abortions going on.” 

Jensen’s statement affirms his long record of anti-choice votes at state Legislature. Jensen has repeatedly bragged about receiving a 100% rating from the anti-choice organization Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL) – which even supports abortion bans without exceptions for victims of rape and incest. Jensen has said on the campaign trail that he would rubberstamp their agenda and “sign anything that they [MCCL] said that we should do.”

Jensen also has chosen an anti-choice zealot, Matt Birk, as his running mate. Birk has said that “After the KKK, [Planned Parenthood] is the most racist organization in America.” In 2013, after the Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl, Birk refused to go to the White House because President Obama was pro-choice.

PAUL GAZELKA

Paul Gazelka has voted for and co-sponsored several anti-choice bills during his time in the Legislature and has also received a 100% voting record from the anti-choice organization MCCL. Like his fellow candidates, Gazelka has promised to appoint judges and take action to overturn or reverse Doe v. Gomez, the Minnesota State Supreme Court ruling that protects the right to choose at a state level in Minnesota. And Gazelka signaled support for a Texas-style abortion ban that would allow for bounty-style lawsuits against providers who offer women safe access to abortion.

KENDALL QUALLS

Kendall Qualls has described himself as “100% pro-life.” Qualls has called abortion in the United States “genocide” and has said that he will push for “creative” ways to defund Planned Parenthood. In his failed 2020 congressional campaign, Qualls was endorsed by the extremely anti-choice organization Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, an organization which even supports abortion bans without exceptions for victims of rape and incest.