¶ Reproductive Rights
¶ Post-Roe Leak
Brown Glossed Over The Threat Of Overturning Roe And Focused His Statement On The Leaked Document, Which He Claimed Was Leaked For The Purpose Of Intimidation. Brown tweeted, “I am proudly pro life and await final SCOTUS ruling. This is the first time in history a draft opinion was leaked. One purpose: Intimidation. Free speech. 2A. Independent judiciary. Public education. There is no American foundation the left won’t target for politicization.” [Twitter, @CaptainSamBrown, 5/3/22]
¶ Abortions, Generally
¶ General Statements On Abortions
Brown Said Abortion Was “Not An Issue Of Choice.” According to Brown for Texas, “‘Everyone should have an opportunity at life. Reaching that point just before death in 2008 demonstrated to me the importance and impact every moment of life can have on us. Abortion is not an issue of choice. It is an issue of life and I am proudly pro-life. We need to do everything possible to support and encourage young mothers who are considering abortion to pursue adoption or to recognize the value of life and raise the child they have been blessed with.’” [Brown for Texas, accessed 6/8/23]
[VIDEO] Sam Brown Said He Would “Love To See Fewer Abortions” In The United States. “You know, I would love to see fewer abortions. I am pro-life. And, you know, with exceptions for those tragic cases in which there is rape, incest, or a threat to the life of the mother. But I think we can do better in helping to sort of create a pathway for adoption. We can do better with prenatal and postnatal care for moms.” [News 3, 7/13/23]; 230713_SAG_4662_A
¶ Government Funding
Brown Said He Would Oppose Any Federal Funding Towards Abortion Health Care. According to Captain Sam Brown for Senate, “Every life is precious, and it is in our American interest that we protect the lives of unborn babies just as we would protect the life of any other American. As a Senator, I will oppose any federal funding of abortion and only support U.S. Supreme Court Justices who understand the importance of protecting Life.” [Captain Sam Brown for Senate, accessed 6/8/23]
[AUDIO] Brown: “I Do Not Believe Any Federal Dollars Should Be Going Towards The Termination Of Unborn Lives.” “I am an advocate for pro-life and I do not believe any federal dollars should be going towards the termination of unborn lives. And here’s why, as someone who has been at the point of death and by Gods grace I survived, but I was waiting for death. I thought my life was over and some sense it was. Even though my life was painful, even though there was suffering, look what I’ve been able to participate in and accomplish. The joys of my life were worth the pain and suffering. And so I cherish every life because of that.” [Viet Voice of Vegas, 1/20/22]; 220120_JDM_071_A
¶ Anti-Abortion Groups
¶ Anti-Choice Marches
January 21, 2022: Brown Thanked Participants At An Anti-Abortion March. Sam Brown posted, “Today and every day, I stand with LIFE. Thank you to all who are marching today to protect the unborn.” [Facebook, Sam Brown, accessed 1/21/22]
¶ Nevada Faith And Freedom Coalition
¶ Sam Brown Served As A Chairman Of An Anti-Choice Group In Nevada
2022: Sam Brown Was The Chairman Of The Nevada Faith And Freedom Coalition, A Nonprofit Group “Dedicated To Educating And Mobilizing People Of Faith, Advancing Individual Liberty, Helping Those In Need, Protecting Life And Building Strong Bonds Within Our Communities.” According to Nevada Independent, “In his failed run for U.S. Senate last year and a repeat run that began this past July, Brown has highlighted how his Christian faith has shaped his view on the subject. ‘The first thing I’m gonna tell you is because of my personal life experience and my faith, I am pro life,’ he said in July. In the wake of his primary election loss last year, Brown became the chairman of the Nevada Faith and Freedom Coalition, a nonprofit group ‘dedicated to educating and mobilizing people of faith, advancing individual liberty, helping those in need, protecting life and building strong bonds within our communities,’ according to its website. While the national Faith and Freedom Coalition has supported abortion laws stricter than Nevada’s, the Nevada branch has comparatively expressed few issue positions.” [Nevada Independent, 9/12/23]
Sam Brown Was Featured On The Main Page Of Nevada Faith And Freedom Coalition Website. [Faith And Freedom Coalisition, accessed 9/27/23]
Tim Head, The Executive Director Of The National Faith & Freedom Coalition Touted Sam Brown As A Competent Leader For The Organization. According to Nevada Faith And Freedom Coalition, “‘Sam is the definition of servant-leader, and we are honored that he has chosen to lead the Nevada Faith & Freedom Coalition as we work to educate, equip, and mobilize Nevadans of all faiths,’ said Tim Head, Executive Director of the national Faith & Freedom Coalition.” [Nevada Faith And Freedom Coalition, accessed 9/27/23]
¶ Faith And Freedom Coalition Supported A Wide Range Of Anti-Choice Legislation, Including Total Abortion Bans And Restrictions On Abortion Pills And Other Care
Faith And Freedom Celebrated A Ruling That Would Ban Abortion Pills In The State Of West Virginia. Faith and Freedom tweeted, “Another step forward in protecting life in our country!” Twitter, @FaithandFreedom, 8/25/23]
Faith And Freedom Celebrated South Dakota’s Total Abortion Ban. Faith and Freedom tweeted, “THIS is why we fight for life!” [Twitter, @FaithandFreedom, 8/18/23]
Faith And Freedom Celebrated Oklahoma’s Total Abortion Ban. Faith and Freedom tweeted, “THIS is why we fight for life!” [Twitter, @FaithandFreedom, 8/11/23]
Faith And Freedom Coalition Supported Georgia’s Six Week Abortion Ban. Faith and Freedom tweeted, “We applaud Georgia lawmakers who passed a bill to ban abortions after an unborn baby’s heartbeat is detectable. We encourage other states to do the same.” [Twitter, @FaithandFreedom, 3/17/19]
Faith And Freedom Coalition Supported Texas Six Week Abortion Ban. Faith and Freedom tweeted, “Faith & Freedom applaud Texas for being the first state in the nation to pass six-week abortion ban.” [Twitter, @FaithandFreedom, 9/4/21]
¶ Faith And Freedom Advocated For And Eventually Celebrated The Overturning Of Roe V Wade
Faith And Freedom Supported The Overturning Of Roe V Wade. Faith and Freedom tweeted, “More and more precious lives are being saved every day, but the battle continues. Keep fighting, voting and praying!” [Twitter, @FaithandFreedom, 8/3/23]
Faith And Freedom Coalition Founder And Chairman: “Roe V. Wade Has Been Overturned And It Is In The Ash Heap Of History Where It Belongs.” Faith and Freedom tweeted, “Faith and Freedom Coalition Founder and Chairman, @ralphreed opened today’s General Session with hopeful words. ‘Roe v. Wade has been overturned and it is in the ash heap of history where it belongs.’” [Twitter, @FaithandFreedom, 6/23/23]
Faith And Freedom Coalition Supported The Overturning Of Roe V Wade. Faith and Freedom tweeted, “The right to life needs to be protected! Roe v. Wade has gotten in the way of that for years, but the Supreme Court is renewing our hope!” [Twitter, @FaithandFreedom, 4/21/22]
Faith And Freedom Celebrated The Impact Overturning Roe V Wade Had On Access To Safe Abortion Care. Faith and Freedom tweeted, “Eight states and counting have banned abortion since Roe was overturned a month ago! @LifeNewsHQ” [Twitter, @FaithandFreedom, 6/30/23]
Faith And Freedom Coalition Expressed Hope For A Conservative Filled Supreme Court To Overturn Roe V Wade. Faith and Freedom tweeted, “A surge of #ProLife judges could end Roe v. Wade once and for all. @CBNNews “ [Twitter, @FaithandFreedom, 4/6/18]
Faith And Freedom Coalition Praised Then Nominee, Brett Kavanaugh, For Expressing His Intent To Overturn Roe V Wade. Faith and Freedom tweeted, “‘Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh on Wednesday repeatedly indicated he would be open to overturning ‘settled law,’ including Roe v. Wade, citing a long list of past Supreme Court cases that had been ruled against precedent.’” [Twitter, @FaithandFreedom, 12/2/21]
¶ Sam Brown Omitted Work With Nevada Faith And Freedom Coalition From Financial Disclosure
Sam Brown Did Not Disclose On Financial Disclosure Form His Previous Role As Executive Board Chairman Of Nevada Faith And Freedom Coalition, Whose National Chapter Advocated For Some Of The Most Stringent Anti-Abortion Laws Across The Country. According to the Las Vegas Sun, “Nevada Democrats are seeking sanctions against Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Sam Brown for failing to disclose on financial disclosure forms his previous role as executive board chairman for a nonprofit whose national chapter has advocated for some of the most stringent anti-abortion laws across the country. Brown, a retired U.S. Army captain, was named chairman of the Nevada Faith and Freedom Coalition’s executive board last November and has been listed in secretary of state filings as the nonprofit corporation’s president since March.” [Las Vegas Sun, 10/8/23]
- Sam Brown Spokesperson Claimed That Brown Had Not Been With The Organization Since May 2023. According to the Las Vegas Sun, “A spokesperson for Brown’s campaign told the Sun in an email that Brown hasn’t been with the organization for several months. ‘Sam has not done any work with the Nevada Faith and Freedom Coalition since May 2023, well before his campaign launch,’ the spokesperson said. ‘Sam resigned from his position and we asked that he be removed from their website. It was strictly a volunteer position.’” [Las Vegas Sun, 10/8/23]
- Senate Rules Mandated A Candidate Must “Report All Compensated And Uncompensated Positions” Held At Any Time During The Preceding Two Calendar Years Through The Date Of Filing. According to the Las Vegas Sun, “However, Senate rules — which are independent of requirements set by the Federal Election Commission — mandate a candidate must ‘report all compensated and uncompensated positions’ held at any time during the preceding two calendar years through the date of filing, including positions currently held as an officer, director, trustee, general partner, proprietor, representative, employee or consultant of any business enterprise, nonprofit organization, labor organization or educational institution. Brown filed his candidacy July 10 and submitted his first personal financial disclosure (PFD) report Sept. 6, according to Senate records. Candidates are not required to report positions held in any religious, social, fraternal or political entity, nor any positions held solely of an honorary nature. The Nevada Faith & Freedom Coalition doesn’t fall into any of these categories.” [Las Vegas Sun, 10/8/23]
- Sam Brown Was Still Featured Prominently On The Nevada Faith And Freedom Coalition’s Website, Both On Its Homepage And Its “About” Section Until Shortly After The Las Vegas Sun Reached Out To Brown’s Campaign. According to the Las Vegas Sun, “Brown was still featured prominently on the Nevada Faith & Freedom Coalition’s website, both on its homepage and its ‘about’ section until shortly after the Sun reached out to Brown’s campaign Tuesday. The only press release under the website’s ‘news’ tab is a Nov. 20, 2022, piece announcing Brown as the organization’s chairman. As of Wednesday, the website’s homepage featured a quote from late civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. The ‘about’ section also removed mention of Brown. When the Sun contacted the phone number listed on the Nevada Faith & Freedom Coalition’s website, an automated system stated it ‘could no longer take calls at this time,’ and hung up.” [Las Vegas Sun, 10/8/23]
¶ Nevada Right To Life
¶ Sam Brown Attended Nevada Right To Life Annual Gala
September 2023: Sam Brown Attended Nevada Right To Life’s Annual Friends For Life Gala. According to the Nevada Current, “Republican U.S. Senate candidate Sam Brown last month quietly attended an anti-abortion rights organization’s annual gala — a hint at where he stands on an issue he has largely tried to downplay on the campaign trail. Brown and his campaign did not publicize his attendance at Nevada Right to Life’s 16th Annual Friends for Life Gala — held on Sept. 8 at The Reno Ballroom — but Douglas County Commissioner Mark Gardner posted a photo on social media of himself with the retired Army captain and their wives at the event. The Current reached out to the Brown campaign to confirm his attendance but did not receive a response. A desire to avoid being publicly connected to an anti-abortion rights group is not unexpected from any candidate hoping to survive both a GOP primary where they must appease a far-right base and a general election where a majority of voters will be more supportive of reproductive rights.” [Nevada Current, 10/3/23]
¶ Women’s Resource Medical Center
Brown Attended The Women’s Resource Medical Center’s “Shareholders In Life” Gala. Sam Brown posted, “Amy and I were proud to attend the Women’s Resource Medical Center’s ‘Shareholders in Life’ gala last night — in support of the critical services and resources they provide to Southern Nevada communities.” [Facebook, Sam Brown, accessed 5/14/22]
¶ Abortion Legislation
¶ Jacky Rosen’s Record
[VIDEO] Sam Brown Attacked Jacky Rosen For Her Stance On Abortion, He Accused Her Of Being Too Extreme For Advocating For Abortion Funding And The Codification Of Abortion Protections In Federal Law. “But Jacky Rosen is out of touch with us. Our values, she's actually voted to have federal law supersede our law. She's extreme on this issue. The vast majority of Nevadans don't support what she supports, which is federal funding of abortion, the allowance of minors to have abortions without parental notification or consent, and late-term abortion. We’re talking about abortion up to seven, eight, nine months. This is out of step with our values. And she wants to push that federal law and supersede our state law.” [News 3, 7/13/23]; 230713_SAG_4662_A
¶ Sam Brown Attacked Jacky Rosen For Her Work To Protect Reproductive Freedom
American Independent: “Nevada GOP Senate Candidate Calls Opponent Out Of Touch For Supporting Reproductive Rights.” According to American Independent, “But Jacky Rosen is out of touch with us. Our values. She’s actually voted to have federal law supersede our law. She’s extreme on this issue. The vast majority of Nevadans don’t support what she supports, which is federal funding of abortion, the allowance of minors to have abortion without parental notification or consent, and late term abortion. We’re talking about abortion up to 7, 8, 9 months. This is out of step with our values. And she wants to push that federal law and supersede our state law.” [American Independent, 7/17/23]
¶ National Abortion Ban
July 2023: Brown Refused To Say If He Would Support A National Abortion Ban. According to Nevada Independent, “He also re-emphasized similar positions to his 2022 run, tying excessive government spending to inflation, arguing for smaller government through less taxes and fewer regulations and affirming that he is ‘pro life’ — though he declined to say whether he would support or oppose a national abortion ban.” [Nevada Independent, 7/12/23]
Sam Brown Dismissed Questions About His Support For National Abortion Ban, Claiming It Was “Hypothetical Legislation.” According to Nevada Independent, “On Tuesday, he said again that he was ‘pro life,’ but he declined to say whether he would support or oppose a national abortion ban, adding that he was ‘not going to deliberate on hypothetical legislation.’” [Nevada Independent, 7/12/23]
[VIDEO] When Asked If He Would Consider Supporting A Federal Abortion Ban, Sam Brown Said He Did Not See The Possibility Of Federal Or State Law Changing In That Way. “No, I don't see that there's any pathway to the federal law or the state law changing. And I certainly can't sort of hypothesize what that would look like. But we are where we are. I would love to see fewer abortions. I want to see better care for moms. And I would love to see more adoptions.” [News 3, 7/13/23]; 230713_SAG_4662_A
¶ Nevada’s Abortion Protections
Sam Brown Refused To Say If He Would Support Efforts To Upend Nevada’s Abortion Protections, “That’s A Hypothetical Situation That We’re Not Dealing With Today.” According to Nevada Independent, “When asked if he’d support an effort to change Nevada’s abortion law — which protects access up to 24 weeks of pregnancy and can only be overturned by a majority of voters — Brown said, ‘That’s a hypothetical situation that we’re not dealing with today.’” [Nevada Independent, 7/12/23]
Sam Brown Refused To Disclose His Stance On Nevada’s Current Abortion Protections But Added That He Did Not See The Possibility Of Nevada’s Laws Changing. According to Nevada Independent, “‘The fact of the matter is I don’t see Nevada’s laws changing,’ Brown said.” [Nevada Independent, 7/12/23]
[VIDEO] Sam Brown Claimed That Nevada’s Protections For Abortion Would Not Change. “But I think we can do better in helping to sort of create a pathway for adoption. We can do better with prenatal and postnatal care for moms. And the simple fact of the matter is Nevada law is not changing. I don't see any change there.” [News 3, 7/13/23]; 230713_SAG_4662_A
¶ Roe v Wade
Brown Glossed Over The Threat Of Overturning Roe And Focused His Statement On The Leaked Document, Which He Claimed Was Leaked For The Purpose Of Intimidation. Brown tweeted, “I am proudly pro life and await final SCOTUS ruling. This is the first time in history a draft opinion was leaked. One purpose: Intimidation. Free speech. 2A. Independent judiciary. Public education. There is no American foundation the left won’t target for politicization.” [Twitter, @CaptainSamBrown, 5/3/22]
Brown Dodged Questions On The Potential Threat Overturning Roe Could Have On Same-Sex Marriage. According to Reno Gazette Journal, “Laxalt and Brown said a Supreme Court decision undoing Roe v. Wade would not pose an immediate threat to gay marriage protections established by past court precedents. “ [Reno Gazette Journal, 5/9/22]
¶ Women’s Health Protection Act
Sam Brown Attacked Rosen’s Support For The Women’s Health Protection Act. According to Nevada Independent, “Brown, meanwhile, criticized Rosen’s position on abortion as extreme, including taking issue with her support for the Women’s Health Protection Act — legislation aimed at enshrining into law the struck-down protections from Roe v. Wade.” [Nevada Independent, 7/12/23]
¶ Exceptions
Sam Brown Said He Supported Exemptions In The Case Of Rape, Incest Or Threats To The Life Of A Mother. According to Nevada Independent, “He noted that he supported exceptions in cases of rape, incest and a threat to the life of a mother, but said broadly his goal was to reduce the number of abortions, including through ensuring easier paths to adoption and providing better prenatal and postnatal care.” [Nevada Independent, 7/12/23]
¶ Judicial Nominees
Sam Brown Said He Would Only Support Anti-Choice Nominees To The Supreme Court. According to Captain Sam Brown for Senate, “As a Senator, I will oppose any federal funding of abortion and only support U.S. Supreme Court Justices who understand the importance of protecting Life.” [Captain Sam Brown for Senate, accessed 6/8/23]
¶ Campaign Platform
¶ 2024
¶ Sam Brown Fundraised Off Of Tuberville’s Effort To Block Military Promotions
Sam Brown’s Donation Page Encouraged Donors To Join Senator Tommy Tuberville “In His Fight To Stop Military-funded Abortion Trips.” According to Punchbowl News, “Nevada GOP Senate candidate Sam Brown is fundraising off of Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s (R-Ala.) months-long blockade of senior military promotions. The donation page asks prospective donors if they support Tuberville ‘in his fight to stop military-funded abortion trips.’ The state’s incumbent, Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), is staunchly pro-abortion rights and has been outspoken about Tuberville’s blockade. Brown is a former Army captain who received a Purple Heart after he was gravely wounded in Afghanistan and suffered permanent burn wounds. Interestingly, the donation page splits the donation with the NRSC, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Tim Sheehy, a GOP candidate for Senate in Montana.” [Punchbowl News, 9/27/23]
¶ 2022
Brown Listed “Life” As A Leading Priority In His 2022 Campaign For Senate. According to Captain Sam Brown for Senate, “Every life is precious, and it is in our American interest that we protect the lives of unborn babies just as we would protect the life of any other American. As a Senator, I will oppose any federal funding of abortion and only support U.S. Supreme Court Justices who understand the importance of protecting Life.” [Captain Sam Brown for Senate, accessed 6/8/23]
Sam Brown Campaigned On Implementing “Pro Life Values” If Elected To U.S. Senate. Sam Brown posted, “I put duty to country first. We need: - border security - election integrity - 2A rights - conservative judges - pro-life values - job creation - tax reduction & more $25, $50, $100 or more - every donation helps in this fight for our nation” [Facebook, Sam Brown, accessed 7/14/22]
Sam Brown Did Not Directly Answer When Asked If He Would Support Federal Restrictions On Abortion. According to Las Vegas Review-Journal, “Both said they would not support amnesty for undocumented immigrants in any circumstances, believe the filibuster should remain in the U.S. Senate, and both described themselves as ‘pro-life,’ when it comes to abortions. But both candidates also did their fair share of side-stepping. Brown did not directly answer when asked if he would support federal restrictions on abortion, calling it a ‘hypothetical question.’ Laxalt was not asked the same question, but said that he believes that abortion laws are ‘better left to the states.’” [Las Vegas Review-Journal, 5/9/22]
Sam Brown Refused To Clarify His Stance On Pro-Choice Legislation. According to Reno Gazette Journal, “If Democratic U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto were stuck in an elevator with challenger Adam Laxalt, she’d use the time to talk about the reproductive rights of women. ‘Women’s reproductive freedoms are so important,' she said when asked what, in the unlikely scenario, she’d tell Laxalt. Cortez Masto spoke to the RGJ Monday after she filed to run to retain her seat and told the crowd that the race against Laxalt will be tough. Laxalt, who will face Sam Brown in the Republican primary for Senate, didn’t respond to the same question sent to his campaign.” [Reno Gazette Journal, 3/18/22]
¶ 2014 Campaign For Texas State House
Sam Brown Campaigned On “Protecting Life” During His Campaign For The Texas House. According to Brown for Texas, “‘Everyone should have an opportunity at life. Reaching that point just before death in 2008 demonstrated to me the importance and impact every moment of life can have on us. Abortion is not an issue of choice. It is an issue of life and I am proudly pro-life. We need to do everything possible to support and encourage young mothers who are considering abortion to pursue adoption or to recognize the value of life and raise the child they have been blessed with.’” [Brown for Texas, accessed 6/8/23]
¶ Sam Brown Supported Texas’s 20-Week Ban On Abortion
2014: Sam Brown Said He Would Have Supported Texas’s 20-Week Ban On Abortions Which Did Not Provide Exception For Cases Of Rape Or Incest. According to Nevada Independent, “During the 2014 forum, Brown said he ‘would have supported the legislation that passed this last special session,’ referring to the 2013 law that banned abortions in Texas past 20 weeks of pregnancy. […] The Texas law at the time included exceptions after 20 weeks for cases posing a risk to the life of the patient or if the fetus has a severe medical problem, but not for cases of rape or incest. The state has since adopted a law banning abortions if a ‘fetal heartbeat’ is detected, or roughly after six weeks into pregnancy.” [Nevada Independent, 9/13/23]
- Nevada Independent: Opponents Of The 20 Week Abortion Ban Argued The Law Would Result In The Closure Of Many Abortion Clinics Throughout The State. According to Nevada Independent, “Opponents of the 2013 law argued it would lead to many of the state’s abortion clinics shutting down because they would be required to meet the same standards that hospital-style surgical centers do, and because the law mandated that a doctor who performs abortions have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned those parts of the law in 2016.” [Nevada Independent, 9/13/23]
While Running For Texas State House In 2014, Sam Brown Committed To Doing “Everything” He Could To “Empower” The State To Implement Strict Abortion Restrictions. According to Nevada Independent, “But nearly a decade ago, Brown said he supported another state’s 20-week ban on abortion. ‘On issues of life, that is a nonnegotiable for me, we’ve got to do everything we can to empower our state, make sure that it stays on the books,’ Brown said during a legislative candidate forum in 2014 when asked how much Texas should spend, if necessary, to defend the state’s 2013 abortion law, which banned abortion after 20 weeks post-fertilization.” [Nevada Independent, 9/13/23]
Sam Brown Embraced An Anti Choice Messaging During His 2014 Campaign, He Bemoaned Abortion Protections For The Citizens Of Texas. According to Nevada Independent, “At the time of Brown’s 2014 run, he expressed support for more stringent, though unspecified, restrictions on abortion. ‘I think that it’s a shame that here in Texas, which is being lauded as such a conservative state with regard to the issue of life, half of Europe has stricter laws than we do here,’ he said during the forum, which was hosted by a group called Far North Dallas Tea Party Patriots. ‘I think we can’t just let the issue lie where we’re at. We need people to continue to go back to Austin who understand the sanctity of life.’” [Nevada Independent, 9/13/23]
During His 2024 Campaign, Sam Brown Had Refused To Comment On His Position On A 20 Week Abortion Ban. According to Nevada Independent, “Asked for comment about his past support for the 20-week abortion ban, Brown avoided the question and reiterated his current position on abortion. ‘My personal view was shaped in large part by my experience in Afghanistan where I nearly lost my own life but was then blessed with a second chance at living. I’m pro life, with exceptions for the tragic cases of rape, incest and situations where the mother’s life is at risk,’ Brown said in a statement.” [Nevada Independent, 9/13/23]