Michigan Gubernatorial candidate DeVos 'thrilled' if state could enforce abortion ban

Oct 16 2006

Michigan gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos (R) on Thursday during a radio interview said he would be "thrilled" if Michigan were to reinstate a state law that banned abortion except to save a pregnant woman's life "[a]s soon as Roe v. Wade" -- the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court case that effectively barred state abortion bans -- "is overturned, which I think we all pray it will be," the AP/Fort Wayne News-Sentinel reports.

According to the AP/News-Sentinel, Michigan's abortion ban could be enforced again or new abortion restrictions could be passed if Roe were overturned.

DeVos during an interview with Al Kresta, host of the Ave Maria Radio's syndicated talk show "Kresta in the Afternoon," also said, "You're not going to find a more pro-life governor than me."

According to the AP/News-Sentinel, Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D), who is Roman Catholic, personally opposes abortion but supports upholding abortion rights, a position some Catholics have criticized.

Chris DeWitt, campaign spokesperson for Granholm, said DeVos' interview showed his views on abortion are "out of step with mainstream Michigan," adding that DeVos said something different during a debate on Tuesday.

DeVos in the debate said he opposed an effort to put a proposal on the November ballot that would have defined in the state Constitution a person as existing at conception because "our current laws as it relates to abortion in Michigan are sufficient" (Barks Hoffman, AP/News-Sentinel, 10/12).