State of Vermont Archives: on Abortion
Becca Balint:
Recognize the fundamental right of reproductive choice
Bill H.57 would "recognize as a fundamental right the freedom of reproductive choice" and "prohibit public entities from interfering with or restricting the right of an individual to terminate the individual's pregnancy." Gov. Scott's communications
director said that he will not veto it. "The Governor is and has been pro-choice and believes in a woman's right to choose, so he has ruled out vetoing the bill -- it will become law," she wrote in an email. [Senate Majority Leader Balint voted YES].
Source: CNN.com coverage of Vermont legislative voting record H.57
Jul 6, 2019
Bruce Lisman:
Supports abortion rights and funding for Planned Parenthood
Vermont Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Lisman has announced he'll support Ohio Gov. John Kasich for president. "I'm supporting Governor John Kasich because he is a competent manager who has helped to revitalize his state's economy,
while bringing both Democrats and Republicans together," Lisman said in a statement.
The Vermont Democratic Party jumped on the news with a statement that pointed out Kasich had signed a bill to block Ohio state funds from going to Planned Parenthood. That means Lisman and Kasich may differ on at least one issue:
The Barre-Montpelier Times Argus reported in October that Lisman supports abortion rights and funding for Planned Parenthood.
Source: Burlington Free Press on 2016 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Feb 29, 2016
Christine Hallquist:
Protect a women's right to choose
Protect all women's health initiatives
and a women's right to choose.
Source: 2018 VT governor Campaign website ChristineForVermont.com
Sep 1, 2018
David Zuckerman:
Supports public funds for abortion procedures
Q: Should abortions be illegal after the first trimester of pregnancy?No.
Q: Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
Yes.
Q: Should abortion be legal when the life of the woman is endangered?
Yes.
Q: Do you support requiring parental notification before an abortion is performed on a minor?
No.
Q: Do you support requiring parental consent before an abortion is performed on a minor?
No.
Q: Do you support the prohibition of public funds for abortion procedures?
No.
Q: Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
No.
Source: Vote Smart Vermont State 2014 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2014
David Zuckerman:
Add reproductive autonomy to Vermont Constitution
A woman's right to choose is imperative to our democracy and to the freedom of over half of our population. Vermont has made strides in protecting Vermonters from national politics that may reduce abortion rights across the country.
However, we can never be complacent, and we must work to pass Proposition 5 to add reproductive autonomy to the Vermont Constitution to insulate Vermont from negative changes at the federal level.
Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website ZuckermanForVT.com
Apr 3, 2020
David Zuckerman:
Protect funding for Planned Parenthood
We will do all in our power to protect funding for Planned Parenthood to ensure they can continue to provide
general health services to the thousands of Vermont women and men who rely on them.
Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website ZuckermanForVT.com
Apr 3, 2020
Eddie Melton:
Lets abortion bill become law, recognizes fundamental right
Bill H.57 would "recognize as a fundamental right the freedom of reproductive choice" and "prohibit public entities from interfering with or restricting the right of an individual to terminate the individual's pregnancy." Scott's communications
director said that he will not veto it. "The Governor is and has been pro-choice and believes in a woman's right to choose, so he has ruled out vetoing the bill -- it will become law," she wrote in an email.
Source: CNN.com coverage of Vermont legislative voting record H.57
Jul 6, 2019
Gerald Malloy:
Pro life: let States and People decide rather than courts
Pro life. Per the 10th Amendment
I support taking this decision out of the Supreme Court and giving it to States and People.
Source: 2022 Vermont Senate campaign website DeployMalloy.com
Aug 16, 2022
Gerald Malloy:
Would vote to ban abortions federally without any exceptions
A self-proclaimed "conservative Republican," Malloy differentiates himself from Nolan, who was long considered the frontrunner in the race, by positioning himself further to the right. He has said he does not support any additional
gun control legislation, and he would vote to ban abortions federally without any exceptions.
Source: VT Digger on 2022 Vermont Senate race
Aug 4, 2022
John MacGovern:
Opposes abortion in most cases
On the issues, the two primary contestants tout similar conservative views. Both dislike President Obama's health care act, want a drastically smaller federal government,
oppose abortion in most cases and are critical of the use of American soldiers to conduct nation-building in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere.
Source: Burlington Free Press, on 2012 Vermont Senate debate
Aug 27, 2012
John MacGovern:
Don't require churches to provide birth control to staff
MacGovern says there is also a crisis in moral leadership in the US. He opposes Pres. Obama's administration's decision to require religious institutions to provide services that violate their deeply held moral values. He was referring to a requirement
that insurance companies representing institutions such as churches provide birth control services even if those institutions object to birth control. MacGovern calls it "an assault on our cherished first amendment right to religious freedom."
Source: Wall Street Journal on 2018 Vermont Senate race
Nov 1, 2012
John MacGovern:
Religious liberty trumps contraception health insurance
On the contraception issue, MacGovern writes on his website, "As hard as it is to imagine, we are facing a full frontal assault on our religious liberties. The Obama Administration has issued a mandate to force religious institutions
to buy health insurance that covers 'free' provision of services that violate their deeply held moral values. This is an assault not only on our religious institutions--it is an assault on our cherished first amendment right to religious freedom."
Source: SevenDaysVT.com on 2018 Vermont Senate race
Mar 9, 2012
Keith Stern:
Pro-life advocate but will not interfere with settled law
Stern is also pro-life, but said he wouldn't interfere with "settled law" making abortions legal if elected. "If it ever got brought up, and
I had to decide, I'd have to think long and hard," Stern said.
Source: Stowe Today on 2018 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Jun 21, 2018
Matt Dunne:
Abortions should always be legally available
Dunne indicated support for the following principles concerning abortion.-
Abortions should always be legally available.
Source: Vermont Congressional 2002 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2002
Peter Shumlin:
Assist companies doing stem cell research in Vermont
Assist companies doing stem cell research in Vermont
Northeast Kingdom, the area of our state that for generations has struggled with chronically high unemployment rates and low incomes.
Assist companies doing stem cell research in Vermont
Under my proposal, high schools and tech centers in the Kingdom would become an Innovation Zone and would be able to shift current generic course requirements to focus on those that provide the training the region needs.
Source: 2013 Vermont State of the State / inaugural address
Jan 10, 2013
Phil Scott:
Abortion isn't a black-and-white issue, but I'm pro-choice
I consider myself "pro-choice, but with restrictions." I do not see abortion issues as simple black-and-white decisions, however, and I'm sure that most women who have ever considered having an abortion themselves feel the same way. Because of my
beliefs, I find it impossible to answer the questions in [the Planned Parenthood] survey with a simple "yes" or "no."But I do want to let people know how I tend to approach these issues. I believe that family planning services are an essential part of
our health care system. In our current economic situation, systemwide reductions in health care spending may be necessary to balance budgets, but I would not support cuts directed at family planning services.
I do support a woman's right to choose;
however, I do not believe it needs to be a "blank check" in order to be effective. I do not support partial-birth abortion, because I believe there are many options available to terminate a pregnancy well before that stage of development.
Source: Planned Parenthood survey on 2016 Vermont gubernatorial race
Mar 15, 2012
Phil Scott:
No taxpayer funding for abortion; but ok for family planning
I am very aware that not all Vermonters share my pro-choice views; therefore, I do not believe that abortions should be funded with taxpayer dollars. Just as important as protecting a woman's right to choose, is respecting others" right to oppose
abortion for religious or personal reasons. Using public funds to support something that many people strongly disagree with is not an appropriate public policy. But I would not support cuts directed specifically and only at family planning services.
Source: Planned Parenthood survey on 2016 Vermont gubernatorial race
Mar 15, 2012
Phil Scott:
Enshrine reproductive rights in Vermont's constitution
Both Scott and Siegel support a measure to enshrine reproductive rights in Vermont's constitution that will appear on the November ballot as Article 22. But while questions about abortion highlighted commonalities between the candidates, they
also showcased their many differences.Siegel argued being "pro-choice is not enough for this moment." Vermont needs updated extradition laws to protect women who come to the state to seek abortion care, she said, as well as their providers.
She also bemoaned Governor Phil Scott's
administration's "wait-and-see" approach.
His retort was short: "I believe in a woman's right to choose. I believe it's between her and her health care provider. And I believe in freedom and liberty and we'll just leave it at that," he said.
Source: VT Digger on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Sep 16, 2022
Richard Tarrant:
No litmus tests; majority don't want Roe overturned
Tarrant doesn't describe himself as a supporter of the landmark US Supreme Court ruling on abortion, Roe vs. Wade. But he says he accepts it as the law of the land. Tarrant says, "I don't believe it's overturnable. I don't think the country wants it
overturned - the large majority. And so I think we need to move on." Tarrant says an individual's views on abortion would not be a major factor in his review of a judicial nominee. Tarrant says, "I don't believe in litmus tests for judges."
Source: Bob Kinzel series of interviews on Vermont Public Radio
Oct 25, 2005
Scott Milne:
Pro-choice but exact positions are unknown
The Vermont Right to Life Political Committee released its endorsements for the primary election on Monday. The organization encourages its members to choose the Republican ballot. The committee chose not to recommend a candidate for governor.
Scott Milne, Dan Feliciano and Emily Peyton are pro-choice. "Scott Milne's exact positions are unknown at this time, though he has communicated a willingness to better understand the issues," the committee said in a statement.
Source: VTDigger.org on 2016 Vermont Senate race
Aug 26, 2014
Scott Milne:
Pro-life; and no free birth control
Q: What is your stance on abortion? Scott Milne: Pro-life
Q: Should health insurance providers be required to offer free birth control?
Scott Milne: No
Source: iSideWith.com Voter Guide on 2016 Vermont Senate race
Sep 9, 2016
Peter Welch:
Steadfast advocate for reproductive rights and Proposal 5
In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which struck down the federal right to an abortion, numerous VtDigger readers submitted questions on abortion.
Welch cast himself as a steadfast advocate of reproductive rights, and pledged to continue to fight tirelessly for them."I will not stop. I will not compromise on protecting reproductive freedom.
Not just for women in Vermont--I'll be voting for Proposition 5--but for all women in this nation. Your right to make your own reproductive choices should not depend on the zip code you live in," he said.
Proposal 5, which will appear on the general election ballot in Vermont this November as Article 22, would enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.
Source: Valley News on 2022 Vermont Senate race
Sep 10, 2022
Brenda Siegel:
Updated extradition laws to protect women who come to VT
Both Scott and Siegel support a measure to enshrine reproductive rights in Vermont's constitution that will appear on the November ballot as Article 22. But while questions about abortion highlighted commonalities between the candidates, they
also showcased their many differences.Siegel argued being "pro-choice is not enough for this moment." Vermont needs updated extradition laws to protect women who come to the state to seek abortion care, she said, as well as their providers.
The state also needs a mandatory paid family and medical leave law, she said--an indirect shot at Scott, who has repeatedly vetoed mandatory paid family leave bills sent to him by the Democratic-controlled Legislature. She also bemoaned his
administration's "wait-and-see" approach.
His retort was short: "I believe in a woman's right to choose. I believe it's between her and her health care provider. And I believe in freedom and liberty and we'll just leave it at that," he said.
Source: VT Digger on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Sep 16, 2022
Peter Duval:
Person who is pregnant should decide about abortion
Proposal 5 should pass. I am voting YES. Abortion decisions should be made by the person who is pregnant. The Vermont Constitution would be amended to include:Article 22. [Personal reproductive liberty]: That an individual's right to personal
reproductive autonomy is central to the liberty and dignity to determine one's own life course and shall not be denied or infringed unless justified by a compelling State interest achieved by the least restrictive means.
Source: 2024 VT Governor campaign website PeterForVermont.earth
Jun 11, 2024
Gerald Malloy:
Overturning Roe corrected a wrongful decision
Q: RIGHT TO LIFE: Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants)?A: Strongly Agree. America's abortion laws are currently as extreme as Communist
China and North Korea, allowing abortion up to the moment of birth. Democrats extremism demand taxpayer funded abortions. Democrats extremism also want abortion on demand anytime for any reason and oppose restrictions, even gender selection.
Q: I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
A: Strongly Disagree.
Q: Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
A: The overturning of Roe v. Wade is the correction of a wrongful decision. Abortion is
not a Federal constitutionally protected activity and abiding by the US Constitution is left up to the individual states. This is not a Federal candidate issue and I as a Vermonter will only be granted my one vote as a Vermont citizen.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2022 Vermont Senate race
Nov 8, 2022
Gerald Malloy:
States rights under the 10th Amendment for abortion
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Abortion is a woman's unrestricted right"?
A: I will support States rights under the 10th Amendment. I will not support federal legislation on powers relegated to the States, this includes sweeping federal legislation related to abortion.
Source: OnTheIssues email interview on 2024 Vermont Senate race
Jul 30, 2024
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026