Stefanowski, Lamont Challenge Each Other On Abortion Issue

CONNECTICUT — Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Stefanowski clarified some of his positions on abortion and vowed not to try and change state law.

“Under no circumstances will I as governor attempt to change the existing law,” Stefanowski said in a statement. “A woman’s right to choose has been, is, and will remain codified in Connecticut State Law, including Connecticut’s ban on late-term abortions - except in the case where the mother’s health is at risk.”

Stefanowski released the statement the day after Gov. Ned Lamont criticized him for not saying more on the issue of abortion. Lamont signed Connecticut’s reproductive rights bill into law Tuesday.

The law allows physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses to perform aspiration abortions. It also limits information physicians and state officials can share in an effort to thwart out-of-state abortion lawsuits.

State Rep. Laura Devlin, Stefanowski’s lieutenant governor running mate, voted in favor of expanding abortion access in the state at the end of the legislative session.

Lamont also said he was in favor of adding abortion rights to the state constitution.

“Elections matter, and who knows what happens in five years,” Lamont said at the abortion bill signing ceremony. “Plus, if you have a different governor, you have a different legislature, different people appointed to the court. Look what happened to the appointees to the Supreme Court over the last five years.”

Stefanowski called on Lamont to clarify some of his abortion positions, including whether there should be any limits to how late an abortion can be performed. He also said Connecticut should consider a parental notification requirement for minors under 16 who seek an abortion, except in the case of rape or incest.

“This requirement is already in place for most medical procedures performed on minors, and abortion should be no exception,” Stefanowski said.