Abortion in focus in Arkansas 4th District debate, with Rep. Bruce Westerman, Democrat Risie Howard both taking pro-life stance

CONWAY, Ark. – The last of the four Arkansas Congressional debates took place Thursday at the Arkansas PBS studios in Conway.

Republican incumbent Congressman Bruce Westerman faced off against Democrat Risie Howard for the hour-long debate.

One topic that came up that both candidates seemingly agreed on at first was abortion. Howard, when answering a question on her beliefs on abortion policies at the federal level, said as a Roman Catholic who does not believe in contraception, she is personally pro-life.

She said, however, that just as God gives humans free will, she said she also believes Americans should have free will in interacting with the government.

Howard also told media in a news conference following the debate that the majority of women she has talked to in the 4th District are pro-choice.

“I have talked to women in the 4th District and they unanimously agree that a woman should have a right to make that choice herself and it should be a choice that’s made between her and her doctor,” Howard said.

Westerman shared a response to Howard’s statement, saying he does not believe a majority of the women in the district were “pro-choice from the standpoint of the Democratic position on abortion.”

“I don’t believe the majority of women I come across in the district are pro-choice from the standpoint of the Democratic position on abortion where they want no restrictions all the way up until birth,” Westerman said. “I think there’s varying degrees between that and my position of that and I’m always going to protect life.”

Howard also said she would support legislation at the federal level that would undo the United States Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, sending the decision down to the state level.

Westerman maintained that he believes in protecting all forms of life, including exceptions to abortion when it means protecting the life of the mother.

Howard and Westerman will face off in the 4th District election on Nov. 5.

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