Republican Zach Nunn and Democrat Cindy Axne continued to argue about each other’s position on the legalized killing of unborn babies (abortion). The topic has been a point of contention between the two, especially since the Dobbs decision was released this summer.
Nunn was first given an opportunity to clarify his stance.
“Look, good people can disagree on abortion,” he said. “But there are important things, and I want to be clear on my position, I am pro-life. I support the mother and the baby. And we’ve voted repeatedly here in Iowa to provide exceptions for the health of the mother…we provide exceptions for rape, incest and fetal abnormalities.”
Nunn went on to tout his support for over-the-counter birth control, and then pivoted to attack Axne’s stance on abortion.
Axne, he said, supports allowing abortion up until the day of birth and supports taxpayer-funded abortions.
Axne said only the woman should make the decision on whether or not to legally kill their unborn baby. She then attacked Nunn’s position, reminding viewers Nunn raised his hand when asked if he would support a full abortion ban, without exceptions.
“This was just a few months ago, folks,” she said. “When he said he did not support abortion in any of those cases.”
She was asked if she supports abortion up until the time of birth, but she never answered it.
“Oh my, I find that to be one of the most offensive statements I could ever hear,” she said. “As a mother of two boys and as the only one on this stage who has actually given birth, I certainly find that to be completely offensive.”
Axne asked if Nunn really believes people are having babies and then people are saying to kill the babies. That obviously isn’t the question. The question is and was when does Axne believe abortion should no longer be a choice for a mother.
When asked whether the legalized killing of unborn babies should be decided at the state or federal level, Axne essentially said none of the above.
“This should be left to women,” she said. “This is where it should be left to. Absolutely. I trust women and the law of the land was Roe v. Wade. That was settled.”
