Roe Vs Wade Overturned

[GMDino]

https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/local-politics/colorado-anti-abortion-gop-lawmaker-praises-impact-abortion-he-paid-for/73-589d9901-228f-4940-970a-56f710f82e53

Quote:Anti-abortion GOP lawmaker praises the impact of the abortion he paid for
Republican congressional candidate Richard Holtorf, a staunch opponent of abortion, described the benefits of the abortion he financed.

[color=var(--global-color-text-dark)]Credit: AP
[/color]FILE - Jan. 9, 2020, file photo, Republican state Rep. Richard Holtorf. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski,File)
Author: Kyle Clark
Published: 1:42 PM MST January 19, 2024
Updated: 11:48 AM MST January 20, 2024

DENVER — Republican State Rep. Richard Holtorf, a candidate for Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, disclosed Friday that he financed an abortion for one of two girlfriends he impregnated, saying it helped her “live her best life.”


Holtorf, who represents the Eastern Plains, made the comment while discussing a resolution by Democrats marking the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that established the right to an abortion. 

“I respected her rights and actually gave her money to help her through her important, critical time so she could live her best life,” Holtorf said.


Holtorf was a sponsor of a failed 2020 measure to ban abortion in Colorado after 22 weeks. In 2022, Holtorf made headlines when he dropped his handgun in the state Capitol while rushing to the floor to cast a vote against abortion rights.


Holtorf did not appear to recognize the disconnect between his statement lauding the benefits of abortion access for his pregnant girlfriend and his staunch opposition to abortion rights, which led him to call abortion rights supporters “godless heathens” last year.


He went on to tell House colleagues Friday that he “had another beautiful woman” and got her pregnant, as well. That woman, Holtorf said, chose not to have an abortion but rather give up the child for adoption, a choice he praised.


“I have so much lived experience, you have no idea,” Holtorf said.


Holtorf later issued a series of statements walking back and ultimately disavowing his words on the House floor.


Holtorf initially declined to tell 9NEWS when and where he paid for his girlfriend’s abortion.


“You will have to come see me here to discuss this is a personal matter and a personal life story,” Holtorf said via text message.


Democratic Rep. Lorena Garcia, who brought the resolution in the state House, tweeted, "I want to thank Rep. Holtorf for the courage to share how reproductive freedom has helped the women in his life. Thank you for sharing your story of supporting a girlfriend when she chose abortion and even paying for it."


Later Friday afternoon, Holtorf provided 9NEWS with a statement declining to discuss the circumstances of his girlfriend's abortion.


"To clarify, I was referring to respecting her as a woman and supporting her," Holtorf wrote. "I ask she should be left out of the conversation as to respect her right to privacy. I felt the need to tell my personal story as a plea to choose life as I highlighted later in my personal story. I am not comfortable sharing any more personal information out of respect to those involved. Thank you for your consideration."

Around 11 p.m. Friday night, Holtorf issued a lengthy statement via Facebook blaming the "liberal news media" and defending his anti-abortion bonafides:


"My comments today in the House chamber have been gathering a lot of attention in the liberal news media as they spin this story. I want to set the record straight. I also have a deep respect for women and my lived experience in the attached video illustrates this fact. I voted “NO” on this Senate Joint Resolution today. This is a deeply personal issue for not only women but also me. As a Pro Life Catholic, after hearing from some of my fellow Democrat legislators supporting abortion disguised as reproductive health, I was spurred by raw emotions and I felt obligated to tell my story and how my personal experience surrounding this issue has deeply and personally touched me in my life. I have lived with all aspects of this complex issue including; my mother’s choice as she faced cervical cancer to choose life for me in 1965. As a young Army lieutenant, choosing life by putting our beautiful baby girl up for open adoption. And living with the saddest moment of my life, while respecting a girlfriend’s decision against life, in my early 20s while attending college. Living through all of this, I encourage both women and men to choose life. I have always tried to lead by example and share not only my triumphs in life, but also my mistakes. I share my deepest regrets to ensure that others can hear my story and make the best choice, which is life for those who can not speak for themselves, the unborn. I would ask that those with questions watch my remarks in the attached video in their entirety. I believe you will gain much needed context. My message today is to respect women and choose life!"


Holtorf issued another lengthy statement Saturday morning, fully reversing his remarks on the House floor that he backed his girlfriend's right to an abortion. Holtorf said he opposed her decision and that the money he gave his girlfriend was not for the abortion itself:

"9 News' Kyle Clark leads the troupe of disgusting liberal media outlets in making false statements and spinning my deeply personal story. In my remarks on the house floor today,


I was advocating to choose life as I railed against the Democrat's Roe v. Wade Anniversary Day resolution. To clear up the liberal media spin, we must review the historical truth which the media novices failed to even take the time to inquire about in their reporting. When I was young man in college, my girlfriend became pregnant. I headed off to Fort Lewis, Washington to do my ROTC Advanced Camp training for the summer and upon my return was greeted with terrible news. My girlfriend had made the unfortunate choice to have an abortion despite my objections as a pro-life Catholic. The liberal media took my comments completely out of context claiming I paid for an abortion. These comments are reprehensible and this shoddy reporting is amateur at best and grossly inaccurate. The truth is my girlfriend asked for financial help when I returned from military training later that summer. I did what any honorable man who respects women would do and I supported her. Later in life, as a young Army Lieutenant, my girlfriend at the time, who was not ready for marriage, chose life by putting our beautiful baby girl up for an open adoption. I live every day thanking God that we made this choice for life because I got to watch my daughter grow up from a far [sic] and am grateful my daughter always knew her biological father. This amazing woman, who I love with all my heart, is now a mother with a beautiful 3-year-old grandson of mine. They are living their best life because her mother and I made a choice for life decades before. The liberal media has shown their novice bias by deceitfully diving headfirst into the dark depths of lies. These snake oil peddlers will not shake my resolve as they stoop to attack my character and pro- life stance. I will always stand strong and advocate for the pro-life movement. The lesson here is to respect life and encourage women to choose life."

Holtorf is one of several Republicans running for Colorado’s 4th Congressional District to replace Republican U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, who is not seeking re-election.