The Republican nominee vying to be elected as governor in Nevada said he would fight against a national abortion ban if one was passed by Congress, arguing the decision should be left up to the states.
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Joe Lombardo, who has advocated several anti-abortion policies and restrictions, maintained he would uphold state law that guarantees access to the procedure up until 24 weeks, emphasizing the matter should be decided by state voters. His comments come after Sen. Lindsey Graham announced he would propose legislation that would ban abortion nationally after 15 weeks.
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“It’s the vote of the people within the state of Nevada, and I will support that,” Lombardo told reporters during a campaign event on Thursday. “That is an issue that doesn’t need to be in politics.”
Lombardo’s latest comments come in contrast to other Republicans who have either embraced Graham’s proposal or shied away from it altogether. Other GOP candidates in Nevada have also campaigned on platforms that oppose abortion but have maintained they would reject a federal ban.
Lombardo has campaigned as an anti-abortion Catholic, denouncing late-term abortions and “abortion on demand” as stances that are “wildly out of touch with Nevadans.” However, the Republican has maintained he would uphold state law that allows the procedure, and he has vowed to ensure access to contraceptives, calling it “an essential part of healthcare and preventing unwanted pregnancies.”
Nevada protects access to abortion up until 24 weeks, which was codified into state law by voters in 1990. However, a nationwide ban would supersede this law, and it’s unclear how Lombardo or other state lawmakers would fight enforcement.
Despite Lombardo’s assurances that he would not accept a federal abortion ban, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak, who is running for reelection, has accused his Republican challenger of lying in order to secure votes.
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“Joe Lombardo is lying,” said Natalie Gould, Sisolak’s campaign spokeswoman.
Nevada has emerged as one of the most competitive battleground states in the midterm elections, with the governor’s race at a virtual tie, according to a poll from Emerson College and the Hill. About 40% of voters would back Sisolak, and 40% said they’d vote for Lombardo, the poll showed. Another 12% are still undecided.
