Planned Parenthood Votes: Tim Sheehy Proves He's a Threat to Reproductive Freedom in First Montana Senate Debate

FAIRMONT, MONTANA — In the first Montana U.S. Senate debate , challenger Tim Sheehy proved he does not represent Montanans’ values and is a threat to reproductive freedom. This was a stark contrast to Sen. Jon Tester, who showed Montanans he is a champion for reproductive freedom. Sen. Tester, a staunch advocate for abortion rights throughout his time in office, pledged to continue fighting for Montanans freedom to decide what is best for their bodies and lives. “The federal government should not be telling our women what health care choices they should be making — it simply is not who we are as Montanans,” he said.

“Tim Sheehy is already showing Montanans who he is, spouting lies about essential reproductive health care,” said Quinn Leighton, spokesperson for Planned Parenthood Votes in Montana. “Unlike Tim Sheehy, Tester knows that the majority of Montanans support keeping politicians out of our reproductive health decisions — and he’ll keep it that way if re-elected. Montanans cannot afford to elect Tim Sheehy, who will take any opportunity to meddle in our ability to make decisions that are best for ourselves and our families.”

As Sen. Tester said himself: “The bottom line — this is not a decision that should be made by politicians or bureaucrats or judges – this is a decision that should be made by a woman and her family, in consultation with her minister and her doctor.”  

During the debate, Tim Sheehy showed little empathy for people who need abortion, instead using the spotlight to spread disinformation about this essential health care. The reality could not be further from Sheehy's claims.

Tim Sheehy is a danger to the future of Montanans’ reproductive freedom. Just look at the facts:

• Tim Sheehy’s already told us where he stands on abortion. He’s claimed that abortion was “murdering unborn children.” This self-described “very pro-life person” will take any opportunity to vote away access to abortion at the expense of hundreds of thousands of Montanans.
• Sheehy’s was the very first endorsement announced this cycle by SBA Pro-Life America, which requires its picks to support a national abortion ban and lobbies against IVF protections.
• Sheehy cannot be trusted to protect any aspect of Montanans’ reproductive freedom. In addition to his opposition to abortion, Sheehy has refused to pledge his support for federal IVF protections.

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Planned Parenthood Votes is an independent expenditure political committee registered with the Federal Election Commission.