¶ Reproductive Rights
¶ Abortion, Generally
Soldano Pledged To “Protect Life And Push Back Against The Abortion Lobby In Lansing.” According to Soldano’s campaign website, “There is no issue more important than protecting the right to life. To me, this has never been a political issue. It’s bigger than politics. It’s about our fundamental values as human beings. I believe that it is our duty to protect the God-given right of all of our children. It is our duty to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. As Governor of Michigan, I will do everything in my power to protect life and push back against the abortion lobby in Lansing and President Biden’s radical anti-life agenda.” [GarrettForMichigan.com, viewed 1/13/22]
Soldano Said Abortion Providers Should Not Receive Taxpayer Funds. According to Soldano’s campaign website, “Abortion providers shouldn’t recieve our hard-earned tax dollars. Pregnancy centers and organizations that help mothers choose life need our support. Compassion, love and empathy will help us protect God’s blessing of life, and the good people of Michigan deserve an unapologetically pro-life Governor.” [GarrettForMichigan.com, viewed 1/13/22]
Soldano Supported “Pregnancy Centers And Organizations That Help Mothers Choose Life.” According to Soldano’s campaign website, “Abortion providers shouldn’t recieve our hard-earned tax dollars. Pregnancy centers and organizations that help mothers choose life need our support. Compassion, love and empathy will help us protect God’s blessing of life, and the good people of Michigan deserve an unapologetically pro-life Governor.” [GarrettForMichigan.com, viewed 1/13/22]
Soldano Posted That He Stood “On The Side Of Life,” As Supreme Court Heard Oral Arguments To Decide Fate Of Roe V. Wade. According to Soldano’s Twitter,
[Twitter, @GarrettForMI, 12/1/21]
Soldano Retweeted March For Life’s Call To “Overturn Roe.” According to Soldano’s Twitter,
[Twitter, @March_for_Life, 12/1/21]
Soldano Called Abortion “Bigger Than Politics,” Pledged To “Push Back Against The Abortion Lobby In Lansing And President Biden’s Radical Anti-Life Agenda.” According to Heartland Signal, “The chiropractor and small business owner from southwest Michigan puts the issue of abortion access as one of his highest campaign issues. He said in a 2021 campaign video that it’s ‘not a political issue’ because it’s ‘bigger than politics’ and a matter of ‘right and wrong.’ Soldano’s website says if he’s elected in November, he will be a pro-life governor and ‘push back against the abortion lobby in Lansing and President Biden’s radical anti-life agenda.’” [Heartland Signal, 1/31/22]
¶ Michigan's 1931 Abortion Ban
Soldano Said He Supported Michigan’s 1931 Abortion Ban, With An Exception For The Life Of The Mother. According to Detroit News, “Each of the eight candidates said they were anti-abortion and would support a ban on abortions in Michigan should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade in the coming weeks. But they differed on exceptions to the ban, with Dixon, Johnson, Soldano and Kelley supporting the state's 1931 ban with an exception for the life of the mother.” [Detroit News, 5/12/22]
Soldano Said His Administration Would “Enforce Michigan Laws That Protect Innocent Life.” According to Soldano’s Twitter, “Michigan deserves a Governor who will always stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. Our administration will fight to expand adoption access, support our pregnancy centers and our pregnant mothers, and will enforce Michigan laws that protect innocent life. https://twitter.com/i/status/1540660247253192705” [Twitter, @GarrettForMI, 6/25/22]
¶ Exceptions
HEADLINE: “GOP Candidate For Michigan Governor Urges Rape Victims To Be ‘Heroic’ And Give Birth.” [Deadline Detroit, 1/31/22]
HEADLINE: “Michigan GOP Candidate: Rape Victims Shouldn’t Get Abortions Because ‘God Put Them In This Moment’ To Give Birth.” [Raw Story, 1/31/22]
HEADLINE: “GOP Candidate Condemns Abortion For Rape Victims, Says Fetus Could Be ‘Next President.’” [Newsweek, 1/31/22]
HEADLINE: “Mich. GOP Governor Candidate Said Rape Victims Shouldn’t Have Abortions: ‘Baby Inside Them May Be The Next President.’” [Washington Post, 2/1/22]
HEADLINE: “GOP Gov. Candidate: Rape Victims Shouldn’t Get Abortions Because Fetus Could Become POTUS.” [Huff Post, 2/1/22]
HEADLINE: “GOP Candidate Says Rape Victims Shouldn’t Have Abortions Because God May Want Them To Give Birth To The Next President.” [Independent, 2/1/22]
HEADLINE: “Another GOP Candidate Struggles To Talk About Pregnancies From Rape.” [MSNBC, 2/1/22]
HEADLINE: “Garrett Soldano Argues Against Abortion In Situations Involving Rape.” [Detroit News, 2/1/22]
HEADLINE: “Garrett Soldano Opposes Abortion For Rape Victims, Says He’ll ‘Protect DNA’ As Governor.” [MLive, 2/1/22]
Soldano Wanted To Encourage Rape Victims To Bring Their Pregnancy To Term, Said “And They Don’t Know That Little Baby Inside Them May Be The Next President.” According to Heartland Signal, “Soldano also mentioned while there might be a path for rape survivors to get an abortion, he would prefer a culture that encourages them to deliver the child instead. He cited a mentor’s mother having the ‘courage’ to deliver the mentor even though he was conceived through a gang rape as an example of a positive outcome of a rape survivor delivering a child to term. ‘How about we start inspiring women in the culture to let them understand and know how heroic they are and how unbelievable they are that God put them in this moment, and they don’t know that little baby inside them may be the next president. Maybe the next person that changes humanity may get us out of the situation, maybe in the future.’ Soldano said. ‘We don’t know that. That is what we must do is start to create that culture.’” [Heartland Signal, 1/31/22]
- Soldano Said Our Culture Should Inspire Rape Victims To “Know How Heroic They Are And How Unbelievable They Are That God Put Them In This Moment” To Have A Baby. According to Heartland Signal, “Soldano also mentioned while there might be a path for rape survivors to get an abortion, he would prefer a culture that encourages them to deliver the child instead. He cited a mentor’s mother having the ‘courage’ to deliver the mentor even though he was conceived through a gang rape as an example of a positive outcome of a rape survivor delivering a child to term. ‘How about we start inspiring women in the culture to let them understand and know how heroic they are and how unbelievable they are that God put them in this moment, and they don’t know that little baby inside them may be the next president. Maybe the next person that changes humanity may get us out of the situation, maybe in the future.’ Soldano said. ‘We don’t know that. That is what we must do is start to create that culture.’” [Heartland Signal, 1/31/22]
- Soldano Said One Of His Mentors Was Conceived From Gang-Rape, But His Mother “Had The Courage To Deliver Him” Allowing Him To Help “Thousands Of People Be Better Versions Of Themselves.” According to Newsweek, “Soldano made his comments during a Monday interview with April Moss on the right-leaning media outlet Real America's Voice. In the interview, Soldano mentioned that one of his mentors who was adopted later found out that they had been conceived when his mother was gang-raped in a subway station by ‘five guys.’ ‘It kind of like tore out his heart when he found that out, but then he started to really appreciate and understand what his birth mother went through,’ Soldano said. ‘She had the courage to deliver him. And ... since he was delivered, he has helped thousands of people be better versions of themselves.’” [Newsweek, 1/31/22]
¶
¶ Personhood
HEADLINE: “Michigan GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Says Life Begins At DNA, ‘Even Before The Heartbeat’” [Heartland Signal, 1/31/22]
Soldano Said Life Began “When DNA Is Created,” Advocated For Abortion Ban Beginning At Development Of Unique DNA. According to Heartland Signal, “Garrett Soldano, a top candidate in Michigan’s GOP gubernatorial primary, said on a podcast earlier this month that life begins ‘when DNA is created,’ an even more radical anti-abortion stance than usual for Republicans. While speaking with April Moss on her ‘Face the Facts’ podcast on Jan. 19, Soldano advocated for banning most abortions in Michigan as soon as a fetus develops DNA unique from its mother. A 1995 study found that unique fetal DNA is found at least seven weeks after conception, if not as early as four weeks. ‘When DNA is created, it has a place at the table for life,’ Soldano said. ‘And so we must defend life at all instances in that matter. DNA’s created, then we defend it.’” [Heartland Signal, 1/31/22]
Soldano Said, “We Must Defend Life At All Instances In That Matter. DNA’s Created, Then We Defend It.” According to Heartland Signal, “Garrett Soldano, a top candidate in Michigan’s GOP gubernatorial primary, said on a podcast earlier this month that life begins ‘when DNA is created,’ an even more radical anti-abortion stance than usual for Republicans. While speaking with April Moss on her ‘Face the Facts’ podcast on Jan. 19, Soldano advocated for banning most abortions in Michigan as soon as a fetus develops DNA unique from its mother. A 1995 study found that unique fetal DNA is found at least seven weeks after conception, if not as early as four weeks. ‘When DNA is created, it has a place at the table for life,’ Soldano said. ‘And so we must defend life at all instances in that matter. DNA’s created, then we defend it.’” [Heartland Signal, 1/31/22]
Heartland Signal: “Soldano’s Stance On Banning Abortions When Unique DNA Is Found Is Still Radical For A Republican.” According to Heartland Signal, “While the concept of life beginning at conception is a popular anti-abortion viewpoint, Soldano’s stance on banning abortions when unique DNA is found is still radical for a Republican. Numerous federal and state courts have struck down state ‘heartbeat bills’ in the last decade, including ones from North Dakota, Iowa, Missouri and Ohio. Those bills would ban abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected; this can happen as early as six weeks, although its existence is debated by doctors.” [Heartland Signal, 1/31/22]
¶ Planned Parenthood
Apr. 2022: At An Event In Chelsea, Soldano Said Tax Dollars Should Go To “Adoption Agencies, Pregnancy Help Centers, And Foster Programs” Instead Of Planned Parenthood. According to Sun Times News, “On Saturday, April 23rd, Garrett Soldano arrived at noon to address a group of nearly 100 supporters gathered at Chelsea Lanes. […] Soldano is 100%, unapologetically pro-life, because he believes in it. He mentions that there are already articles suggesting that he approves of the act of rape. He is disgusted by this narrative and is adamant that he does not support that. Clarifying, he expressed how impressed he was with the story of a woman who chose life, despite how the baby was conceived. She gave the baby to an adopting family. ‘I don't think our tax dollars should be going to Planned Parenthood and programs like that. I think they should be directed towards adoption agencies, pregnancy help centers, and foster programs. This would build a culture to inspire women to understand that there are other choices.’” [Sun Times News, 4/26/22]
¶ Emergency Contraception
VIDEO: Soldano Said He Would Ban Plan B In Cases Where “Conception Happens,” But Said If A Person Could “Prove Conception Didn’t Happen” They Would Be Permitted To Use The Contraceptive. [Garrett Soldano, 6/03/22]
HEADLINE: Michigan GOP gubernatorial candidate doesn’t know how Plan B works, says he’d ban it. [Heartland Signal, 6/7/22]
Soldano Supported Ban On Plan B, But Demonstrated That He Did Not Understand How The Emergency Contraceptive Worked. According to Heartland Signal, “Garrett Soldano, a leading Republican candidate in Michigan’s race for Governor, said he’d be for banning Plan B, despite not knowing how Plan B works. The Kalamazoo chiropractor and small business owner from southwest Michigan told an attendee at a campaign event on Mackinac Island over the weekend that he’d ban Plan B in cases where ‘conception happens.’ ‘If conception happens, you can’t use it,’ he said. ‘Now, if you can prove conception didn’t happen, you can use it. Fine. It’s like contraception to me. But as soon as that joins, it’s over. That’s DNA, man.’” [Heartland Signal, 6/7/22]
Soldano Said He Would Ban Plan B In Cases Where “Conception Happens,” But Said If A Person Could “Prove Conception Didn’t Happen” They Would Be Permitted To Use The Contraceptive. According to Heartland Signal, “Garrett Soldano, a leading Republican candidate in Michigan’s race for Governor, said he’d be for banning Plan B, despite not knowing how Plan B works. The Kalamazoo chiropractor and small business owner from southwest Michigan told an attendee at a campaign event on Mackinac Island over the weekend that he’d ban Plan B in cases where ‘conception happens.’ ‘If conception happens, you can’t use it,’ he said. ‘Now, if you can prove conception didn’t happen, you can use it. Fine. It’s like contraception to me. But as soon as that joins, it’s over. That’s DNA, man.’” [Heartland Signal, 6/7/22]
Soldano Said, “As Soon As That Joins, It’s Over. That’s DNA, Man.” According to Heartland Signal, “Garrett Soldano, a leading Republican candidate in Michigan’s race for Governor, said he’d be for banning Plan B, despite not knowing how Plan B works. The Kalamazoo chiropractor and small business owner from southwest Michigan told an attendee at a campaign event on Mackinac Island over the weekend that he’d ban Plan B in cases where ‘conception happens.’ ‘If conception happens, you can’t use it,’ he said. ‘Now, if you can prove conception didn’t happen, you can use it. Fine. It’s like contraception to me. But as soon as that joins, it’s over. That’s DNA, man.’” [Heartland Signal, 6/7/22]
Heartland Signal: “Soldano’s Stipulation Is Inconsistent With How Plan B Works, As There Is No Possible Way To ‘Prove Conception Didn’t Happen’ During The Window In Which Plan B Can Be Used.” According to Heartland Signal, “Soldano’s stipulation is inconsistent with how Plan B works, as there is no possible way to ‘prove conception didn’t happen’ during the window in which Plan B can be used. Plan B is only effective for three days after intercourse, hence why it’s known as the ‘morning-after’ pill. The earliest possible pregnancy test can give results no sooner than 10 days after conception. Therefore, requiring proof of no conception in order to buy Plan B would effectively outlaw it.” [Heartland Signal, 6/7/22]
- Plan B Is Only Effective For Three Days After Intercourse, A Full Week Before Earliest Possible Detection Of Pregnancy. According to Heartland Signal, “Soldano’s stipulation is inconsistent with how Plan B works, as there is no possible way to ‘prove conception didn’t happen’ during the window in which Plan B can be used. Plan B is only effective for three days after intercourse, hence why it’s known as the ‘morning-after’ pill. The earliest possible pregnancy test can give results no sooner than 10 days after conception. Therefore, requiring proof of no conception in order to buy Plan B would effectively outlaw it.” [Heartland Signal, 6/7/22]
- Heartland Signal: “Requiring Proof Of No Conception In Order To Buy Plan B Would Effectively Outlaw It.” According to Heartland Signal, “Soldano’s stipulation is inconsistent with how Plan B works, as there is no possible way to ‘prove conception didn’t happen’ during the window in which Plan B can be used. Plan B is only effective for three days after intercourse, hence why it’s known as the ‘morning-after’ pill. The earliest possible pregnancy test can give results no sooner than 10 days after conception. Therefore, requiring proof of no conception in order to buy Plan B would effectively outlaw it.” [Heartland Signal, 6/7/22]
¶ Reaction to Dobbs
Soldano Tweeted “LIFE IS WINNING!” In Response To Supreme Court Decision To Overturn Roe v. Wade. According to Soldano’s Twitter, “LIFE IS WINNING!” [Twitter, @GarrettForMI, 6/24/22]
Soldano Tweeted “All Lives Matter” Following Supreme Court Dobbs Decision. According to Soldano’s Twitter, “All Lives Matter.” [Twitter, @GarrettForMI, 6/24/22]
Soldano Celebrated Supreme Court Dobbs Decision, But Said “The Battle [Was] Not Over.” According to Michigan Advance, “On Friday, Soldano’s campaign called the overturning of Roe ‘a victory for life’ and added ‘the battle is not over.’ ‘Our administration will fight to expand adoption access, support our pregnancy centers and our pregnant mothers, and will enforce Michigan laws that protect innocent life,’ Soldano’s campaign wrote.” [Michigan Advance, 6/27/22]
- Soldano Pledged To Expand Adoption Access And Support Pregnancy Centers. According to Michigan Advance, “On Friday, Soldano’s campaign called the overturning of Roe ‘a victory for life’ and added ‘the battle is not over.’ ‘Our administration will fight to expand adoption access, support our pregnancy centers and our pregnant mothers, and will enforce Michigan laws that protect innocent life,’ Soldano’s campaign wrote.” [Michigan Advance, 6/27/22]
- Soldano Said His Administration Would “Enforce Michigan Laws That Protect Innocent Life.” According to Soldano’s Twitter, “Michigan deserves a Governor who will always stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. Our administration will fight to expand adoption access, support our pregnancy centers and our pregnant mothers, and will enforce Michigan laws that protect innocent life. https://twitter.com/i/status/1540660247253192705” [Twitter, @GarrettForMI, 6/25/22]