Local and state politicians responses to US Supreme Court decision that overturns Roe v. Wade

Here’s a look at the responses from local and statewide politicians and candidates, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling Friday that overturns Roe v. Wade and leaves the choice of women to get an abortion at the hands of each individual state.

Democratic Wisconsin Assembly Rep. Jill Billings:

“Conservative extremists on the U.S. Supreme Court today overturned the 50 year precedent of Roe v. Wade, resulting in the restriction of the right to bodily autonomy for over 50% of Americans. This Court’s action will not reduce the number of abortions that occur in Wisconsin and in our country but will instead make abortion harder to access and less safe. The decision if and when to start a family is one of the most personal decisions one can make. Politicians and Supreme Court Justices have no place in these personal healthcare decisions.

“It is vital that we end Wisconsin’s archaic 1849 criminal abortion ban. It is absolutely shameful that on Wednesday, Republican Legislators ignored the will of the people of Wisconsin and snubbed the Governor’s Special Session on reproductive freedom. Their inaction, in conjunction with today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision will have serious, lasting consequences on the health and freedom of our friends, families, neighbors, and communities.

“I will not stop fighting until the right to access comprehensive reproductive healthcare in Wisconsin is restored.”

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds posted:

“While the decision released this morning by the U.S. Supreme Court did not come as a surprise, it is still devastating for women who would decide their own health outcomes. The decision also underscores the absurdity of the situation the state of Wisconsin finds itself in; governing women’s health based on a state law from 1849. From a time when humans were still owned as slaves in our nation. A time when our government was actively involved in a genocide of indigenous peoples. A time before women had the right to vote, or practice law, or have full control over their finances. From a time when husbands could have their wives locked away for expressing strong opinions. I would hope leadership in the legislature understands the antediluvian obscenity of governing women’s bodies based on a 173 year-old law and finds a path towards restoring reproductive self-determination for women in Wisconsin.”

Wisconsin Lt. Governor and U.S. Senate candidate Mandela Barnes:

“Like it does for so many Americans, this decision hits close to home for me. I might not be here today if Roe v. Wade hadn’t allowed my mother to make the best decision for her health and safety.

“This decision will punish women and cost people their lives. The American people deserve elected leaders who will go to the mat to protect our basic freedoms and that’s what I intend to do. It’s past time to abolish the filibuster and make Roe the law of the land.”

Barnes also tweeted: “The Supreme Court just struck down Roe v. Wade. There is no reason to put women in danger and take us back in time. Congress needs to act now, enough wasting time.”

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin: 

“An activist majority of the Supreme Court has overturned Roe and nearly 50 years of precedent, taking away the constitutional rights of American women to make their own personal choices about their body, their health, and their family. Republicans have taken Wisconsin women back to 1849 and it is Republicans who want to keep us there with support for having politicians interfere in the freedoms of women who will now have fewer rights than their mothers and grandmothers have had for decades. I ask people to join this fight with their voices and their votes because we will not be taken back, we will move forward.”

Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson:

“Today is a victory for life and for those who have fought for decades to protect the unborn. For almost fifty years the decision of nine unelected Justices have prevented a democratically derived consensus on the profound moral issue of abortion to be formed.  This decision will now allow that democratic process to unfold in each state to determine at what point does society have the responsibility to protect life.  Hopefully, the debate will be conducted with sincerity, compassion, and respect for the broad range of views that people hold.”

Democratic 3rd Congressional District candidate and Wisconsin state Sen. Brad Pfaff:

“Today’s Supreme Court decision is devastating. The notion that government should dictate personal healthcare decisions of women should shock and terrify all of us. And make no mistake; today’s decision will cost women their lives.

Wisconsin must act swiftly to repeal the archaic 173-year-old statue that makes abortion illegal in our state. Congress must codify abortion access into law immediately. 

This date has long been foreseen, rumored, talked and warned about with no tangible action or outcome as a result. Congress owes it to women and their families to not waste an ounce of time in standing up for their most basic, fundamental rights and freedoms. And if they don’t then shame on us as a Party.”

Republican 3rd Congressional District candidate, Derrick Van Orden

“I believe that every child is a child of God, and today’s decision is a major milestone for the sanctity of life.”

Democratic 3rd Congressional District candidate, Rebecca Cooke, posted:

Welcome to America: where vigilantism is celebrated and politicians criminalize women and doctors. Republicans are advocating for government mandated pregnancies. We will not rest until reproductive freedoms are protected. Time to organize.

Democratic 3rd Congressional District candidate, Deb McGrath

“I am angry that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Americans have lost access to a fundamental, constitutional right. Make no mistake, this is not happening in a vacuum. Anti-choice politicians are waging an all-out assault on our freedoms. My own Republican opponent Derrick Van Orden believes abortion should be outlawed in all cases – even rape, incest, and at the expense of the woman’s life. These radicals are stripping away our ability to control our own bodies and giving that power over to politicians. This is an attack on our right to make personal decisions about our healthcare, lives, and families. 

“But I will not be silenced. My mother and I fought for Roe in the 70s, and now I speak boldly with my own daughter and grandchildren in mind. Congress must codify Roe v. Wade into law, and protect women’s right to choose when and how to have a family. I will always fight to defend and protect our reproductive rights.” 

Republican Wisconsin governor candidate Rebecca Kleefisch:

“A victory for unborn babies!” Kleefisch tweeted.

Republican Wisconsin governor candidate Kevin Nicholson posted:

“The Constitution was designed to protect Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. The issue of abortion has been returned to the American people, where it should have always been.”

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Sarah Godlewski:

“Today, millions of women and families in Wisconsin and across America are waking up to this devastating news: we no longer have the right to make our own health care decisions. It’s time to act, to mobilize, and to take back our rights and freedoms. Ron Johnson and the Republicans won’t stop until abortion is banned, doctors are criminalized, and women are punished in every corner of America. This is personal for me, I do not want my generation or the next generation to have fewer rights. When I’m elected to the Senate, reproductive freedom will be a priority not an afterthought.”

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Tom Nelson

“June 24, 2022, is a day of infamy for women, for the Supreme Court and for the U.S. Constitution. Never in our lifetimes did we think that we would live in a nation where freedoms would decrease instead of increase. The Supreme Court’s extremist majority showed its true colors – trading away basic rights and freedoms for a backwards, dystopian vision that the majority of Americans DON’T want.

I know that so many folks in our community are grieving, outraged and shaken. I want you to know that I will NEVER stop fighting to protect the right to choose for women across our state and our country. 

In the post-Roe America that is now our reality, the Senate is the frontline for abortion rights. We are just one Senate vote away from codifying a woman’s right to choose into national law – and ensuring every American can make their own decisions about their body and their future.

With Wisconsin’s 1849 criminal abortion ban still on the books, we need bold, immediate action in the U.S. Senate to protect women’s lives. Democrats must end the filibuster, codify a national right to a safe and legal abortion and expand the Supreme Court. I’m the only candidate in this Senate race to advocate for this position.” 

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Alex Lasry posted:

Today will be remembered as one of the darkest days in the history of SCOTUS—women will die as a result of this destructive decision by these Trumpian justices. I’ll fight with everything I have to make sure access to safe & legal abortion is available in WI & nationwide. Alongside the incredible reproductive health care workers & reproductive justice fighters who work in WI, we will start that process by unseating Ron Johnson this Nov.