The Anchorage Daily News asked candidates in statewide elections their views on a variety of issues. We're posting their responses between now and Election Day. See each candidate's full list of answers by clicking on their mug shot in the right column.
Question: What is your position on abortion?
U.S. SENATE
Tim Carter
Non-affiliated
I believe in individual rights. Any American should have the right to bear firearms and any woman should have the right to determine the right choice for her body. This is a personal, social and spiritual decision which should not involve governments, either federal or state.
Ted Gianoutsos
On ballot by petition as no-party candidate, registered as (founding member) Veterans Party of Alaska
Abortion is not good! It is a result of unwanted pregnancies. The less unwanted pregnancies the less abortion. That is far easier said than done in a society that is sexually permissive. Prevention of unwanted pregnancies is not easy, but it is the only way to dramatically reduce abortions. Repealing Roe vs. Wade will only drive abortions underground and outside of America, it will not stop them. We need to find ways to replace abortion with prevention!
Fredrick "David" Haase
Libertarian
Life begins at conception; life is given by God to the woman carrying it to care for it, not the Federal Government. It is a Church versus Government's rights issue. If we would of started with a government they would of passed a law against eating apples and talking to snakes. Government needs get out of Gods business. However I would do everything in my power to persuade women not to have an abortion.
Scott McAdams
Democrat
I am pro-choice and am proud to have the endorsement of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund and support of the Alaska Women's Political Caucus.
Yes, I believe abortions should be allowed in the case of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is at risk.
Joe Miller
Republican
I am unequivocally pro-life. I do not believe that U.S. tax dollars should be used to fund abortions. Unlike my opponent, I would never have voted to repeal the Mexico City Policy, a Reagan-era policy that prohibited "funding of nongovernmental organizations that promote abortion as a method of birth control." Notwithstanding the Hyde Amendment, Senator Sam Brownback stated that repeal of the Mexico City Policy would "send taxpayer dollars to fund abortions overseas."
They (abortions) should be allowed when the life of the mother is at risk.
Lisa Murkowski
Republican Write-in
Abortions should occur as infrequently as possible and federal funds should not be used to pay for an abortion. I supported passage of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban and a prohibition against human cloning. Last year, during debate of health care reform legislation, I offered an amendment that, if successful, would have clarified that abortion is not a preventative service.
Yes, I believe abortions should be allowed in the case of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is at risk. Congress has consistently provided such an exception in abortion related legislation. For example the Partial Birth Abortion Ban that is now law contains such an exception and the annual Hyde amendment that prohibits federal funds from being used to pay for abortions contains the same exception.
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
Harry Crawford
Democrat
www.harrycrawfordforcongress.com
Nobody likes abortion. Abortion existed before Roe v. Wade and would continue to exist if we made it illegal today. We should focus on preventing the need for abortion through education and better access to birth control. Abortion should be legal, safe, and as seldom used as we can make it.
(Abortions in cases of rape, incest or life of mother at risk?) Yes.
Don Young
Republican
I have been pro-life throughout my career, and my well-known voting record shows this fact. I believe that the loss of life through abortion is a great moral disaster, and I will continue to vote against any bills that would in any way promote the use of abortion as a method of family planning.
I believe that the act of abortion is unacceptable unless the life or health of the mother is endangered by her pregnancy or in cases where rape or incest is involved.
GOVERNOR
Ethan Berkowitz
Democrat
I believe that abortion should remain safe, rare and legal.
Sean Parnell
Republican
I am pro-life -- dedicated to life and family. I stood up for life by vetoing an increase in Denali KidCare funding, which paid for over six hundred abortions last year. I supported the "Yes on 2" ballot initiative and will remain focused on finding ways to support families.
Tomorrow's question Do you believe the health care reform legislation should be repealed? If it were to be repealed, what would you propose Congress do to improve access to affordable, quality health care for most or all Americans?Tomorrow's question What are the five most important steps for the governor to take to reduce domestic violence and sexual assault in Alaska?