As you may know, I am running in the March 2024 election to be the Republican nominee for the 90th District State Representative. However, I am pausing my campaign this week to take time to encourage voters across Southern Ohio to join me in protecting life, parental rights, and children by voting NO on Issue 1 this Tuesday, November 7th.
Issue 1 is an extreme and barbaric proposal that aims to make abortion through all nine months of pregnancy a constitutionally protected right in the State of Ohio, even in cases where the baby is capable of feeling pain.
I am 100% pro-life, and I believe abortion is wrong. But even those who consider themselves “pro-choice” should vote NO on Issue 1, as the initiative simply goes too far. Medical science has made significant strides in understanding fetal development, including the capacity for unborn children to experience pain as early as 8 weeks into pregnancy. This fact alone should give us pause and make us question the humanity of allowing abortions at this stage. Issue 1 would allow abortions at any stage, including moments before birth, when a child is capable of feeling pain, just like you and I.
Issue 1 is also problematic because it would eliminate parental consent requirements in the event a child seeks an abortion. Parents are responsible for the welfare and decision-making for their minor children in virtually every other aspect of life, and abortion should not be an exception. Removing parental consent requirements puts vulnerable teenagers at risk by isolating them from the support, guidance, and wisdom of their families. It also opens the door for predatory individuals to coerce young women into getting an abortion, eliminating the sole roadblock to such a vile act.
A final concern I have about Issue 1 is that its broad language would allow minors to undergo gender reassignment surgery without parental consent. Issue 1 would lead to confusion, potential regret, and emotional distress for young individuals who are not mature enough to fully comprehend the long-term consequences of their decisions. By law, if a child is not mature enough to make the decision to get a tattoo, surely they are not mature enough to make such a life-altering decision as changing their gender?
Issue 1 is simply too extreme for Ohio, and we must reject it. On Tuesday, November 7th, please join me in voting NO on Issue 1.