'Students For Life' President Mocks Jensen For Reversal On Abortion

MINNESOTA — Scott Jensen, the Republican candidate challenging Gov. Tim Walz this fall, is taking heat from all sides after changing his view on abortion mid-campaign.

Arguably the sharpest criticism for Jensen is coming from anti-abortion activists.

In a September campaign ad, Jensen tells 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.

The Republican campaign for Minnesota governor has been marred by controversial statements, including a comment from Jensen comparing COVID-19 lockdown measures to the Holocaust. Birk's anti-abortion "rape card" comment also drew criticism.

"If I hear any more of this Holocaust stuff, I'll never talk to you again," conservative newspaper columnist Joe Soucheray told Jensen last week in an interview. "That was utter embarrassing BS. I don't stand for it. I can't take it."

Soucheray then directed his focus to Birk, saying; "I've got news for you. Women don't intend to stay barefoot and pregnant."

Meanwhile, Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan are running a relatively quiet campaign.

A recent KSTP poll found that Walz is leading Jensen by 18 percentage points.