Newly unearthed blog reportedly authored by Wardlow says that “[a woman’s body] is designed to bear offspring,” and decries the Griswold v. Connecticut case, which guaranteed the right to access contraception
These views are consistent with Wardlow’s stated objectives for the Attorney General’s Office, saying he would favor overturning Roe v. Wade and would prioritize criminalizing a woman’s right to choose
With President Trump’s conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court, Minnesotans need someone who will defend women’s rights as Attorney General, not attack them
MINNESOTA – Women’s health care leaders and advocates stood with Congressman Keith Ellison today in his campaign for Attorney General. to denounce derogatory comments reportedly made by Wardlow, and to condemn his dangerous and extreme anti-choice agenda for the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.
“As women’s rights fall under continued attack at the federal level, my opponent has pledged to use the Office of Attorney General to criminalize a woman’s right to choose and serve President Trump,”said Ellison. “These latest comments reinforce Wardlow’s long career of discrimination against those he disagrees with. As Attorney General, I will defend the rights of all, including the right of Minnesota women to access safe, affordable health care.”
News reports indicate that Doug Wardlow authored a secret, far-right political blog in violation of nonpartisan judicial ethics standards during his time working at the Minnesota Supreme Court. Among the extreme positions Wardlow reportedly took on the blog, are a belief that “[a woman’s body] is designed to bear offspring,” and a belief that the Griswold v. Connecticut case, which guaranteed the right to access contraception, represents the use of “activist courts to subvert the will of the people.”
“Women’s reproductive rights and access to health care are under attack across the country,” said Andrea Ledger, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota. “Minnesota women need strong state leaders like Keith Ellison as Attorney General, to defend our rights against the Trump Administration and his conservative majority on the Supreme Court. Minnesota women cannot afford Doug Wardlow’s extreme anti-choice agenda.”
Even before these most recent comments came to light, Wardlow has made clear his extreme anti-choice agenda for the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office. Multiple times on the campaign trail, Wardlow has promised to use the powers of the office to limit a woman’s right to choose. At the State Fair in 2017, Wardlow promised Minnesotans that he is “absolutely 100% pro-life, and that will be a priority in the Attorney General’s Office.” On the campaign trail, Wardlow also assured Minnesotans that he “would favor the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Absolutely,” despite the fact that recent polling suggests only 12 percent of Minnesotans agree with this extreme view.
“We need to elect officials who will further our vision of a society where everyone, regardless of race, age, gender, or sexuality, will be treated with respect and fairness,” said Aurin Chowdhury, President of Women for Political Change at the University of Minnesota. “All Minnesotans benefit from strong reproductive rights, especially women, trans and non-binary folks, and our LGBTQ community. The fact that Doug Wardlow wants to discriminate and deny critical health services should scare all Minnesotans. We must elect Keith Ellison as our next Attorney General.”
Just in case there was any doubt, Wardlow also distributed a campaign document proclaiming that one of his top six priorities would be to “prosecute illegal trafficking of fetal body parts.” This refers to a discredited, far-right conspiracy theory which has inflamed violence against doctors and patients across the country.
“Every day, I help Minnesota women access the critical health services they need, often at their most vulnerable times,” said Phyllis Wiener, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. “The fact that Doug Wardlow worked for a hate group which defends harassment at women’s clinics should offend the sensibilities of all Minnesotans, no matter our beliefs. Dignity and respect are on the ballot this November.”
But Wardlow’s extreme, discriminatory record goes back further than his current campaign for Minnesota Attorney General. During his single term in the Minnesota House, Wardlow voted to allow special interests to discriminate against Minnesota women to deny them health care coverage for services including mammograms, maternity care, and contraception. Wardlow also voted to repeal the Minnesota Equal Pay Act.
“In my long career as an advocate for access to women’s health care, Keith Ellison has always been there for us on these critical issues,”said Connie Lewis, Reproductive Health Advocate. “I know, as our next Attorney General, Keith will continue to defend the right of Minnesota women to access the health care choices they need.”
Wardlow carried this discriminatory spirit with him to the Alliance Defending Freedom, an anti-LGBTQ hate group which has also fought in court to allow women to be harassed when they visit women’s clinics for critical health services.
“I am the mother of three young adult daughters whose right to decide important matters involving their own reproductive health must be protected by their elected officials, and in particularly by Minnesota’s Attorney General,” said Ellen Samuelson Young, NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota Board Member. “Keith Ellison is the only candidate in this race who will defend young women’s constitutional right to make important personal decisions for themselves.”
Minnesotans need an Attorney General like Keith Ellison, who will protect women’s rights and the rights of all Minnesotans, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexuality, or zip code, not someone who will discriminate against women and push an extreme agenda.