Augusta, Maine — Four years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson decision eliminated the constitutional right to abortion and unleashed a wave of attacks on reproductive freedom across the country. While millions of women — including Mainers — felt the stunning loss of this fundamental freedom and the impact on their access to health care, Bobby Charles agreed.

That reaction shouldn’t surprise anyone. Charles has proudly declared himself “unapologetically pro-life” and called abortion “abhorrent” — putting himself wildly out of step with the overwhelming majority of Mainers who support protecting reproductive rights.

Since Dobbs v. Jackson, anti-choice politicians have escalated efforts to defund reproductive health providers and make it harder for women to access care. Former Maine GOP Chairman Rick Bennett made his position clear, publicly calling to defund Planned Parenthood on his campaign website.

(Screen shot of Former GOP Chairman Rick Bennett’s website in 2022).

Read more about Bennett’s record on reproductive rights here.

Devon Murphy-Anderson, executive director of the Maine Democratic Party:

“Neither Bobby Charles nor Rick Bennett can be trusted to protect and defend our rights and freedoms. As we reflect on the devastating consequences of the Dobbs decision, we cannot forget the politicians who celebrated it — or the ones who tried to bring that same agenda to Maine by targeting abortion providers and restricting access to care. Their record is clear: when given the chance, they would roll back freedoms that Maine women and families rely on. Mainers deserve leaders who will defend our rights, protect access to care, and keep politicians out of personal medical decisions — not politicians who are determined to take those freedoms away.”