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 10
Andrew Mall (Democratic)
I stand with the overwhelming number of voters who voted against the ban on abortion in 2022 and firmly believe our government should stay out of personal and private decisions that are best made by you, your healthcare providers and your family.
When the constitutional amendment was placed on the ballot, Republican lawmakers (including my opponent) ensured that the amendment language was intentionally misleading, to try to trick Kansans into relinquishing their rights to politicians who have demonstrated time and again that they believe they know better than women and doctors.
The voters in District 10 saw through those tactics in 2022; I hope they will see my opponent’s craven backpedaling similarly this November.
While he has spent this campaign cycle assuring voters that the overwhelming defeat of the amendment settled the matter in his eyes, he’s spent every legislative session in Topeka voting for further restrictions on reproductive healthcare access; to force doctors to interrogate women about why they’re seeking abortion care, and to tell their patients medically inaccurate lies; and for bills like the one passed in Alabama that would restrict IVF. He’s the chair of the Senate Public Health Committee, where all of these bills are introduced. He laughed when a member of his caucus introduced a bill allowing cities to ban abortion.
When elected, I will represent my constituents who have spoken resoundingly on this matter. I will work to protect access to reproductive healthcare and IVF. I will trust women, families, and doctors to understand the complicated realities of reproductive healthcare, and I will fight for their ability to make decisions for their families.
Mike Thompson (Republican, incumbent)
It is disappointing but not surprising that my opponent has resorted to childish and false attacks on this issue. Despite efforts to use this issue as a wedge to divide us, most Kansans share a lot of common ground on this issue. I voted to send the Value Them Both question to Kansans for a vote, so that the people could weigh in. They did and we listened to Kansans are now moving forward.
Most Kansans want no taxpayer funding of abortion, limits on late-term abortion, rigorous health and safety regulations, parental consent for minors, help for women with unexpected pregnancies, and want adoption to be more affordable. They also support exceptions in heartbreaking cases like rape, incest, and life of the mother. I am focused on these common-sense approaches that build a culture of life in Kansas.
That includes helping young mothers-to-be understand all the support, healthcare, counseling, and assistance that is available to her through our pregnancy resources centers. I voted for a refundable tax credit for donors to these clinics. This assistance is available throughout the pregnancy and for quite some time after the child is born.
I also voted for adoption tax credits, to help couples who cannot have a child of their own, to become adoptive parents. This provides another option for young mothers-to-be to consider.
My goal is to make sure these young women have all the support, assistance, and confidence to choose life for their unborn child.
Finally, I voted to ensure babies that are born alive will receive medical treatment.
These measures aren’t restrictive – they are common sense. Proposals to ban abortion without exceptions undermine these efforts. In fact, a senator tried to bring legislation to ban abortion without exceptions before the Senate and I voted NO, and it was defeated soundly. Right now, the Kansas Supreme Court has control over the abortion issue in Kansas, and any legislation that may be proposed going forward is presumed to be unconstitutional, based on the strict scrutiny standard set by the court. No additional abortion restrictions were passed this year and none are planned.
And let’s be clear:
First, IVF is already protected by Kansas law. Any assertions that it’s being undermined are untrue. Zero legislation has been proposed in this regard.
Second, Kansas has created various reports for decades on a wide range of medical and surgical procedures. These reports are entirely anonymous and voluntary, and any assertion to the contrary is 100% false.
By focusing on these efforts that unify Kansans, we can move forward together as a state.
