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Yes.
Running for U.S. Senate in 2012, Wisconsin Republican Eric Hovde said several times he was totally opposed to abortion rights.
He changed positions in his 2024 Senate run, which again is for the seat held by Wisconsin Democrat Tammy Baldwin.
Baldwin claimed in an April 10, 2024, interview that in the 2012 campaign, Hovde said he was “100% opposed to abortion rights.”
Here is what Hovde said in 2012:
Interview: “I am totally opposed to abortion.”
Interview: “Yes,” when asked if Roe v. Wade should be overturned.
Candidate questionnaire: “I oppose legalized abortion.”
A liberal blogger reported that Hovde at a campaign event repeatedly called himself “100% pro-life” but supported exceptions for rape and incest.
In April 2024, Hovde said “women, early on in a pregnancy, should have a right to make a choice,” and that Wisconsin voters should decide at what point in a pregnancy abortion should be illegal.
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
MSNBC: The Last Word With Lawrence O’Donnell – April 10 | Audio Only
Tyler McKenzie: Eric Hovde on the Jerry Bader Show 4/20/12
WisconsinEye: (31:20) Campaign 2012: U.S. Senate Candidate Eric Hovde (R)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: On abortion, Eric Hovde says he backs ‘a right to make a choice’ early in pregnancy
Blogging Blue: Eric Hovde says he’s 100% pro-life…until he’s not (with audio)
FOX6 News Milwaukee: US Senate race: Candidate talks election, abortion in Milwaukee visit | FOX6 News Milwaukee
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