A Republican state senator running to be Idaho’s next Lt. Governor appears to have said he supports the death penalty for women who get an abortion, and he appears to have said it twice. But now Sen. Bob Nonini is trying to walk back his position after outrage and condemnation.
During a candidate forum on Monday hosted by an all-male conservative Christian podcast that has featured far right wing politicians including Senator Ted Cruz and Dr. Ben Carson, Nonini first made clear his desire to invoke the death penalty for having an abortion, according to The Associated Press.
“There should be no abortion and anyone who has an abortion should pay,” Nonini said.
Pressed by moderators on the nature of the punishment, Nonini nodded in agreement when asked if he supported the death penalty as a possible outcome for abortion.
Nonini saying women “should pay” and shaking his head yes can be seen in the video below starting at the 1:45 mark.
The AP adds that Nonini “confirmed that position in a phone interview with The Associated Press.”
Ironically, on his website, Nonini says one of the reasons he wants to be Idaho’s next Lieutenant Governor is to focus on “affordable quality health care.”
But after outrage, Nonini is trying to walk back his remarks, and even claiming he did not ever say he supports the death penalty for women who chose to have an abortion.
“I strongly support the overturning of Roe v. Wade,” Nonini says in a statement. “That would allow states like Idaho to re-criminalize abortion as a deterrent. However, it is my understanding that in the history of the United States, long before Roe was foisted upon this country; no woman has ever been prosecuted for undergoing abortion. That is for practical reasons, as well as for reasons of compassion”
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