As early voting in the primary runoff election began earlier this week, Texas Scorecard reached out to all of the Republican candidates for the state Legislature to ask how they plan to protect life in the event that the U.S. Supreme Court backs down and does not overturn Roe v. Wade.
The leaked Supreme Court majority draft in the case of Dobbs v. Mississippi shocked the nation and incited the ire of the pro-abortion mob. Texas Democrat gubernatorial candidate Robert “Beto” O’Rourke announced his support for unfettered abortion access, and a number of woke corporations promised to fund employee travel for abortion access.
Last year, Texas enacted the Heartbeat Act to protect children from abortions following a detected heartbeat. However, the act fails to protect children in the first few weeks of life. Although the unique enforcement mechanism of the Heartbeat Act—allowing citizens to sue abortion providers rather than the state—has kept the act above any legal challenges, it has infuriated the Biden administration and pro-abortion mob.
Senate District 24
Raul Reyes: “I am on record saying I will legislate to abolish abortion in Texas. Regardless of what the SCOTUS does, Texas has a sovereign right to abolish abortion. We have a God-given right to live free of any federal intervention. We have seen 60 million babies murdered due to our inaction. Texas Republicans own the House, the Senate, governor, and lieutenant governor. What are we waiting for? My opponent says he’s pro-life but won’t legislate to abolish abortion. I will legislate to abolish abortion. It’s time to end this travesty.”
Pete Flores: “I believe that life begins at conception, that every life is precious and a gift from God, and that we have a duty to protect the unborn. I have a record of defending life in the Texas Senate. That’s why Texas Right to Life, Texas Alliance for Life, and Texas Values Action have all endorsed me. I’m a leader with a proven track record.”
House District 12
Ben Bius: “We must pray for the Supreme Court justices to stand firm. I abhor the violation of the sanctity of our institutions and evil attempts, by the agents of death, to destroy our institutions such as the family and marriage. The court decision in favor of overturning Roe v. Wade is important to restore our constitutional form of government embodied in the 10th Amendment.
“In the event of an unfavorable ruling, I will be honored to join the long line of fighters who have stood in the breach to end this culture of death and perverse interpretation of our Constitution. All life matters! Pray and vote like our lives depend on it! Truth and Texas will prevail!”
Kyle Kacal did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 17
Paul Pape: “As a state legislator, I can’t control the U.S. Supreme Court, but I can continue to push forward to ensure that Texas is the most pro-life state in the nation. I’m proud to be the only pro-life endorsed candidate in this race, and if I am elected, I will do everything in my power to pass good laws that protect innocent life and stop bad laws that move us in the wrong direction on this very important issue. I am also an ordained minister. I believe we are all called by our Creator to defend the most vulnerable among us, and who could possibly be more vulnerable than a defenseless child yet to be born?”
Stan Gerdes did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 19
Ellen Troxclair: “I am 100% pro-life and proud to have the endorsement of both of our state’s leading pro-life groups. If Roe v. Wade is not overturned, I will continue to champion any and all reforms that protect mothers and babies from the horrors of abortion, cut off funding to Planned Parenthood, and support our pregnancy resource centers that offer support and care to women seeking help.”
Justin Berry did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 23
Terri Leo-Wilson: “I am 100% pro-life and am endorsed by Texas Right to Life. I will support any and all bills that protect unborn life and cut off funding to abortion providers like Planned Parenthood. Last session, the Trigger Bill was passed into law, which will outlaw abortions in the state of Texas if Roe v. Wade is overturned.”
Patrick Gurski did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 52
Caroline Harris: “While I pray everyday for Roe V Wade to be overturned, if it is not, I will continue to work tirelessly to stop abortion in Texas. Last session, I was proud to play a key role in passing the historic pro-life Heartbeat Bill. I am 100% pro-life and proud to have the endorsement of Texas Right to Life!”
Patrick McGuinness did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 60
Mike Olcott: “I will do everything possible to support the rights of the unborn—the right to life is the foundational right from which all other rights derive. I will also be a fierce advocate for end-of-life issues and ensure our most vulnerable Texans receive the life-sustaining care they need.”
Glenn Rogers did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 61
Paul Chabot: “Continue to push for abolishment of abortion through all means necessary. Work to elect more conservatives who understand how to communicate right to life to the masses. Advocate for greater adoption services. Work to get more pastors into this fight outside of the church walls.”
Frederick Frazier: “As I have said before, I will always protect life. As an adoptee, nothing is more important to me. Since the Texas Heartbeat Bill went into effect, thousands of lives have been saved, and I’m proud our state has led the way with this legislation. I am hopeful that the Supreme Court does move forward with Alito’s draft in Dobbs and returns the power on this critical issue to the people of each state to decide.”
House District 63
Neither Jeff Younger nor Ben Bumgarner responded to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 70
Eric Bowlin: “I will work to pass every piece of legislation possible protecting Life and opposing abortion in Texas. I would like to see the legislature do more to protect the unborn and work to ensure that we save as many unborn lives as possible in our state.”
Jamee Jolly did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 73
Carrie Isaac: “While 44 Texas cities banned abortion and became sanctuary cities for the unborn, Barron Casteel never made the issue a priority or put it on the agenda as mayor of New Braunfels. Instead, he closed churches and businesses during COVID-19, raised property taxes every year he was in office, and even honored a radical anti-gun group at city hall. I am 100% pro-life and will not just vote right on issues of life, but champion them!”
Barron Casteel did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 84
David Glasheen: “I will support challenges against federal overreach into the states’ right to outlaw abortion. Texas can and should outlaw abortion. I also want to ensure that publicly funded alternatives to abortion are delivering desirable outcomes in order to motivate mothers to protect life.”
Carl Tepper did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 85
Phil Stephenson: “I will support every effort to end abortion in Texas and America.”
Stan Kitzman: “Texas must continue to challenge Roe and protect the lives of the innocent. I will continue to support strengthening our Heart-beat law and make sure the Governor and Attorney General have the support they need from the Legislature to fight this battle.”
House District 91
David Lowe: “I am the only candidate to run on a platform that includes ignoring Roe and banning abortion in Texas. Anything short of a complete ban on abortion is pro-choice.”
Stephanie Klick did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 93
Laura Hill: “I am 100% pro-life, and I am proud to be endorsed by strong pro-life groups in my campaign for HD 93. I will always protect innocent life as state representative.”
Nate Schatzline: “Either way the Supreme Court rules, we must continue to fight for life in our state. I promise to support, sponsor, and co-sponsor pro-life legislation that would continue to take steps toward protecting all unborn babies. The Heartbeat Bill was a great first step in protecting life, but the Texas Legislature must not rest until abortion is made illegal in Texas. Texas must become a sanctuary state for life within the U.S.”
House District 122
Neither Mark Dorazio nor Elisa Chan responded to Texas Scorecard’s inquiry.
House District 133
Shelley Torian Barineau: “I am proud to be endorsed by Texas Right to Life. I believe all human life is sacred, and I will fight to strengthen and defend Texas’ pro-life laws.”
Mano DeAyala: “If SCOTUS does not overturn Roe v Wade back to the states, I will protect and defend the Heartbeat Bill, the Trigger Ban and any other current life laws on the books. I will support additional legislation to protect life.”
Updated to include more candidate responses.
