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A Republican operating in opposition to Lauren Boebert for the U.S. Home of Representatives discovered himself in an embarrassing place when questioned about whether or not he paid for his girlfriend's abortion a long time in the past.
Richard Holtorf, member of the Colorado Home of Representatives, is operating for The Republican primary candidate for the House of Representatives revealed earlier this year that he had financed an abortion that a friend of his wanted to pay for when she became pregnant. Holtorf was in his early 20s and a college student.
The tense exchange occurred during an interview with the News 9 anchor on Thursday evening.
“If abortion was the best choice for your friend, why are you trying to deny other women that choice?” asked host Kyle Clark.
The Republican candidate dodged the question and asked Clark if he had listened to the comments he made in January when he initially described the situation. Clark countered that Holtorf's logic in the speech was “unreliable” and repeated his question.
The candidate declined to explain why he voted to take away what he himself called a “right” from women, even though they, like his girlfriend, might decide that this was their best option.
“I do not [seek to deny that right]”, says Holtorf.
Clark countered: “You voted to restrict access to abortion by law.”
“I did,” Holtorf replied, adding that he believes women should choose life at every opportunity, but that there should be “exceptions” to the limitations of this practice.
“Is this one of the exceptions if Richard Holtorf is the father?” Clark asked.
“No! It's not about me!” Holtorf replied. “Don't make it personal and make it about me.”
NEW: Republican candidate Richard Holtorf voted against abortion rights in the state legislature, but said he respected his girlfriend's right to an abortion “so she can live her life to the best of her ability.” I asked him about this discrepancy. #Copolitics pic.twitter.com/WBB5YBmAcJ
— Kyle Clark (@KyleClark) June 13, 2024
Holtorf first introduced in January throughout a speech within the state Home of Representatives that he had financed the process for his girlfriend.
He instructed his colleagues about his then-girlfriend, “I revered her rights and truly gave her cash to help her throughout this vital, essential time in order that she might stay her life to the most effective of her means.” He made these remarks whereas the chamber was debating a Democrat-led decision commemorating the Supreme Court docket's authentic resolution in Roe v. Wadewhich established federal safety of abortion rights.
Holtorf, in his efforts to clarify his remarks, additionally revealed that a second good friend who turned pregnant selected to provide her baby up for adoption. After fielding questions from supporters and state journalists, Holtorf issued a extra detailed assertion on Fb, writing that it was “the saddest second of my life” however that he selected to “respect a good friend's pro-life resolution I made in my early 20s whereas in school.”
The Colorado lawmaker is without doubt one of the main Republican candidates within the June 25 main election to find out who will succeed Rep. Ken Buck, who resigned in March. Boebert, who has herself been dogged by scandal, has chosen to run for the seat reasonably than search reelection in a extra aggressive statewide district that she has represented since 2021.