INDIANAPOLIS — During both of the first two gubernatorial debates of Indiana’s election cycle, Republican Candidate Mike Braun defended Indiana’s abortion ban, and applauded the state’s Republican supermajority for pushing it through despite public polling showing 60 percent of Hoosiers believe abortion should be legal in “all or most cases”, according to the 2023 Hoosier Survey from Ball State University.

Here’s Braun in his own words (emphasis added):

“When Roe v. Wade was overturned and brought back to the states, that’s where it should have been in the first place,” Braun said during Thursday night’s WISH-TV debate.

“Thank goodness it came back to the states,” said Braun during Thursday night’s WISH-TV debate.

“I think [the legislature] did a good job, [and] it was reasonable in the way it was constructed,” Braun said during Thursday night’s WISH-TV debate.

“I think the people have spoken, the legislators listened, and we got a bill that seems to be working for Hoosiers,” Braun said during Wednesday night’s FOX59/CBS 4 debate.

“[Indiana’s abortion ban] was held up in the courts, and it reflects the majority of Hoosiers in the state,” Braun said during Thursday night’s WISH-TV debate.

Braun’s comments indicate his failure to take note of what Hoosiers actually say they want. 64 percent of Hoosiers believe abortion should be legal, according to a study done by Our Choice Coalition. The legislature didn’t listen to Hoosiers on this issue, and neither is Mike Braun.

“Mike Braun is out of touch with the people of Indiana, plain and simple,” said Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl. “As Jennifer McCormick said, if there is doubt about what Hoosiers want, then we should put it to a ballot vote. Until we do so, Braun’s denial of the facts is a slap in the face to the nearly two-thirds of Hoosiers that want womens’ rights restored. Jennifer McCormick is the only candidate for governor who will work to repeal this law, protect women’s healthcare, and advocate for citizen-led ballot initiatives.”

The next and last gubernatorial debate will be at 7 pm on Thursday, October 24, and it will be hosted by the Indiana Debate Commission.