MN Christian Group Drops $300K In Ad Buy Ahead Of Election Day

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Family Institute on Sunday announced what it calls "one of the largest pro-life ad buys ever" in the state.

The ad buy comes at a time when the Republican Party of Minnesota is downplaying the issue of abortion following the U.S. Supreme Court's move to overturn Roe v. Wade.

But the Minnesota Family Institute, an ecumenical Christian policy group, is moving ahead with a large anti-abortion ad buy anyway. The group said its ads will the feature experiences of Minnesota women "who suffered serious physical and emotional harm, and lifelong regret, from abortion."

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The ads have already aired on cable stations Fox News and HGTV, and will now be aired on major networks during shows such as NCIS, 60 Minutes, and The Masked Singer.

"We’re thrilled to able to bring these stories to Minnesotans in the aftermath of the overturn of Roe v. Wade," John Helmberger, CEO of Minnesota Family Institute, said in a news release.

"During this crucial time, the lies and partisan fearmongering on this topic have reached a fever pitch. By showing the stories of real women, we hope to present the truth in a way that will resonate with people across Minnesota."

Scott Jensen, the Republican candidate challenging Gov. Tim Walz this fall, took heat from anti-abortion activists after he changed his issue on the topic.

In a September campaign ad, Jensen told voters that abortion "is divisive" but that in Minnesota, it is "a protected constitutional right, and no governor can change that. And I’m not running to do that." Jensen is holding an infant child in the video.

Previously, Jensen promised that he would "ban abortions" as governor.

The ad drew the ire of Kristin Hawkins, the president and founder of "Students for Life," a national anti-abortion group.

Hawkins said that Jensen and other Republicans "are ignoring the polling and common sense that show voters care about protecting the preborn and are instead taking their marching orders from bloviating campaign consultants who are telling them to run away from protecting life in law."

"I've delivered 500 puppies in my career, but killing puppies is divisive," Hawkins says mockingly in a video spoof of Jensen's ad.

Other influential conservatives condemned Jensen's ad, including Blaze podcast host Allie Beth Stuckey.

"Here's a Republican candidate running on abortion. Meanwhile, Republicans in Congress are clamoring to codify gay marriage. And you wonder why we lose?" Stuckey said on Instagram.