Ad check: Would this California Republican in congressional race support an abortion ban?
A television advertisement by Rep. Josh Harder’s campaign in Stockton’s congressional race says his Republican opponent would “let politicians outlaw abortion — no exceptions, even to save lives.”
That’s false, says the campaign of the Republican, Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln.
Lincoln is facing Harder, D-Tracy, in California’s 9th Congressional District. It’s one of several California elections for the House of Representatives that nonpartisan analysts are watching because they could become close. Analysts think Harder will likely, but not definitely, win in November.
The television advertisement, which has aired in the Sacramento area, features the account of a person identified as “Cristina.”
“I was thrilled to be pregnant, but then I got very sick,” says the person. “My doctor told me that I would not survive without this procedure.”
The screen reads, “Diagnosed with Lupus, Cristina required an abortion to save her life.”
The voice continues, “But Kevin Lincoln would let politicians outlaw abortion — no exceptions, even to save lives like mine. He’s too extreme. Lincoln would even let doctors and patients be prosecuted. That terrifies me.”
But Lincoln has said he supports abortion access in instances of rape, incest and to save the life of the parent, and that he does not support a nationwide ban.
“I am on record opposing a federal abortion ban,” Lincoln told The Bee on Friday. “California is a pro-choice state, and I oppose any federal abortion ban that would change California voters’ ability to decide this issue.”
Previously, Lincoln had told The Bee in February, “I am pro-life and support exceptions such as rape, incest and the health of the mother. I am not going to Congress to support a federal abortion ban.”
Regarding the claims of prosecution, Lincoln said on Friday, “I have never advocated for this approach and as a husband and father to a daughter, I have a deep commitment to helping women and to see them supported and heard. As a pastor, I have counseled, comforted, and supported women who’ve had abortions.”
“Josh Harder is sinking in the polls and has resorted to flat-out lying to save his job. The claims Harder represents in his ad lack any sourcing and are easily refuted in my public statements on abortion,” Lincoln told The Bee on Friday. “The woman in the ad is facing a heartbreaking situation and should be supported and receive the health care she needs. Period.”
To support the ad’s claims, the Harder campaign told The Bee that Lincoln’s campaign has received almost $450,000 from national Republican fundraising committees.
Harder’s campaign also pointed to an additional $1.2 million in advertising from the National Republican Campaign Committee this cycle. Both the donations and advertisement money involve lawmakers and groups that worked on legislation to bar abortion without exceptions via the Life At Conception Act. The act declares that life begins from the moment of conception.
The Harder campaign added that by supporting the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Lincoln allowed people in other states to face prosecution or severely restricted abortion access.
In 2022, the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade, the near 50-year precedent that had dictated federal abortion protections until fetal viability, generally regarded at about 24 weeks of pregnancy. This 2022 decision allowed states nationwide to enact and enforce laws restricting abortion access.
Abortion was a key issue in congressional races nationally that year, staving off a projected “red wave” and instead meant Republicans wound up with a slim House majority. California voters also overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure in 2022 that enshrined abortion and contraceptive protections in the state’s Constitution.
While California has strong abortion protections, federal legislation would override state law.
Lincoln told The Bee in February that he supported the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision, saying it put “the power back in the hands of the states where it belongs. California is a pro-choice state.”
Lincoln was previously criticized for lacking a response on live television in July 2023 to whether he would have supported an annual defense spending bill passed by the House in 2023 with GOP amendments concerning abortion and diversity, equity and inclusion.
The amendments would have blocked the secretary of defense from reimbursing expenses relating to travel for abortion services for military members and eliminated Pentagon DEI initiatives. The version that was later signed into law lacked the conservative provisions.
Later, Lincoln followed up, saying, “Based on my current understanding of the legislation, I would have probably voted yes. I believe that book bans and other social issues should not be connected to increasing the pay of our dedicated service members.”
