Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM) has stated personal opposition to abortion, due to his Catholic faith, but has consistently supported reproductive rights.
On his website, Richardson proudly affirms his commitment to reproductive health:
In January of 2007, Bill Richardson was named a "Champion of Choice" by NARAL-NM for his career spanning record of protecting and fighting for the right to choose: "We can work together to make abortion safe, legal and rare. And we should do everything we can to support quality prenatal care and early child health care so that newborns and infants have the support they need to grow."
Furthermore, his statement to NARAL Pro-Choice America confirms his position:
"I have always supported women's reproductive rights--and when I'm President I will continue to fight for a woman's right to choose. As Governor, I opposed waiting periods on abortions, which would unfairly restrict women's choices. I have also signed a bill that allows hospitals to provide emergency contraception to women who have been sexually assaulted. New Mexico also funds health centers that provide a full range of information--including info on contraception and abortion. Our goal must be to reduce unwanted pregnancy and that means offering the broadest range of choices.
As a Congressman, Richardson earned high scores from NARAL: 100 percent 1991-1993 and 1995; 90 percent in 1996.
Richardson also voted to fund breast and cervical cancer screening and increase access to affordable healthcare.
At the June 28th Democratic debate, Richardson addressed HIV/AIDS:
"It is a moral imperative that America have a policy to fight this dreaded disease both nationally and internationally. You got to make some tough choices ... We have to be sure that we have efforts in the African-American community, in minority communities, to have comprehensive education. In addition, we have to deal with Africa. Close to 20 percent of the African people have some kind of HIV virus. It's important that the president of the United States make a major funding effort, a major commitment to deal with this issue. And here I'm going to say something positive about President Bush. His funding for Millennium accountability and Millennium appropriations has been relatively impressive. And I believe it's important that not only we deal with this issue in this country, bring -- bringing condoms, finding ways to increase needles, penetrating minority outreach in communities -- that's how to deal with it."
On Monday, July 16th, Governor Richardson announced the formation of Women for Richardson, a group of prominent women's advocates who "will advise him on women's issues and outreach."
Richardson discusses his health care plan:
