Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a staunch pro-life advocate, is running for a seat in the U.S. Senate. His opponent, state Senator James Talarico, supports abortion rights. Despite their differing views, neither candidate has made abortion a central issue in their campaign.

Abortion Record

Paxton has a long record of opposing abortion, including filing a lawsuit against the Biden administration to block a federal law that protected abortions in medical emergencies. He has also defended Texas’ strict abortion ban, which has been criticized for lacking exceptions for rape or incest.

Talarico, on the other hand, has consistently voted against abortion restrictions in the state legislature and has spoken out against Texas’ abortion ban. His campaign has highlighted Paxton’s record on abortion, saying that he has “consistently pushed to criminalize women’s health care” and “put politicians in the middle of decisions that should be left to Texas women, their doctors, and their faith.”

Campaign Strategies

While abortion has not been a major focus of the campaign, some groups are planning to emphasize the issue. Texas Right to Life, a leading anti-abortion group in the state, plans to campaign for Paxton and highlight his pro-life record. On the other hand, Reproductive Freedom for All, a national organization, has endorsed Talarico and plans to raise awareness about Paxton’s views on abortion.

Some women who have been affected by Texas’ abortion ban are also speaking out against Paxton. Lauren Miller, who had to travel to Colorado for an abortion after doctors discovered a devastating anomaly in one of her twins, said that Paxton’s views on abortion are “impossible to ignore.” Amanda Zurawski, another woman who has spoken out against the ban, said that she will support Talarico’s campaign and help highlight the issue of abortion in the election.

Original reporting: Texas Tribune (HLL/CB) — read the source article.