Missouri U.S. Senate candidates share views on possible federal abortion laws
KSNF/KODE — As the last few weeks tick down before November's general election, candidates weigh in on key topics with voters.
At a candidate forum held in Springfield Friday, the four candidates for the U.S. Senate in Missouri were each asked about federal abortion legislation.
Abortion became a hot-button topic when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down "Roe v. Wade" in 2022.
The question posed to them: "Would you support federal legislation either allowing or preventing abortion or do you feel it's up to the states to decide?"
"I think Missourians are smart enough to make their own decisions about how they live their lives, how they build and protect their families. As a U.S. Senator, I'm going to promise you right now, I will codify Roe vs. Wade, because we can't have no exceptions for rape and incest," said Lucas Kunce, Democrat candidate for U.S. Senate.
"I don't support a nationwide ban. I do support reasonable federal restrictions, limits on abortion, like partial birth abortion, like when the baby is capable of feeling pain. What I will not support is imposing on the state of Missouri and all the other states abortion on demand through nine months with taxpayer funding," said Josh Hawley, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate.
"I think we need to find a place where we're preventing as many abortions as possible, but we're still leaving room for compromise, and that's an area where most Missourians can be comfortable. If we can actually sit down and discuss it like reasonable people, that's the solution that we'll reach," said Jared Young, Independent candidate for U.S. Senate.
"Well, I and the Green Party have always supported a woman's right to be in charge of her own body. We're not pro-abortion, we are pro a woman's right to be in charge of her own body. You can either give the right to the infant, the fetus, or the woman. You can't chop them in half," said Nathan Kline, Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate.
Voters will decide this race on the November ballot.
