Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:
Kansas voters in 2022 rejected the “Value Them Both” amendment that, if enacted, would have declared that the state constitution does not include a right to abortion. In the two legislative sessions since, lawmakers have tried to pass new restrictions on abortion, some of which have been blocked by judicial rulings. Are you satisfied with the current laws and restrictions on abortion in Kansas? Do you think access should be expanded in any way? Do you support new restrictions on abortion? And if so, what kind?
Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on the issue:
District 17
Jo Ella Hoye (Democratic, incumbent)
Women should receive life-saving care. Extreme restrictions on reproductive healthcare have left women to miscarry alone in bathrooms and parking lots. Kansans won’t let that happen here. We united to protect our constitutional right to a safe, legal abortion.
Without Roe v. Wade to protect us, state lawmakers must stop attacks on abortion rights and safeguard access to contraception and IVF treatment. Anti-abortion groups keep pushing for criminalization and extreme restrictions on women’s reproductive healthcare with no exceptions. Placing doctors in legal jeopardy while women’s lives hang in the balance is dangerous.
I will not support bills that chip away at our right to make healthcare decisions privately with our physicians. My role as a state legislator is to protect the safety of patients and improve prenatal and postpartum care, not impose medically unnecessary mandates.
Michael Kerner (Libertarian)
I am personally pro-life, believing that life starts at conception. I understand that the people have spoken, though they were lied to quite a bit in the campaign for “Value them both:”. For now, there is nothing to be done that can ban abortions, but we can ensure that the state does not pay for them via Medicaid unless the life of the mother is at risk, Taxpayers should not be forced to pay for hired killers. You are free to contribute to a fund for abortions if you want.
