Kevin Nicholson's Reproductive Rights Record

Reproductive Rights

Flip-Flopped On Abortion

HEADLINE: “Democrats Attack GOP U.S. Senate Candidate Kevin Nicholson For Changing Views On Abortion” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8/10/17]

While Nicholson Described Himself As “Strongly Pro-Life,” In 2000, Nicholson Previously Spoke In Support Of A “Woman’s Right To Choose” As President Of The College Democrats Of America At The 2000 DNC Convention. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Democrats stepped up their attack Thursday against Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kevin Nicholson on the issue of abortion.  The Delafield businessman and former U.S. Marine said he is ‘strongly pro-life,’ but 17 years ago as president of the College Democrats of America he spoke in support of a ‘woman’s right to choose.’  […] Nicholson spoke at the 2000 Democratic National Convention, where he supported a woman’s right to choose. He also faxed a letter on June 28, 2000, to EMILY’s List, praised the group’s work and said there was ‘great potential for a strong partnership.’” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8/10/17]

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Nicholson Was A “Staunch Abortion [Foe]” But Would Not Say If He Wanted “The U.S. Supreme Court’s Landmark Roe V. Wade Decision Overturned.” According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Republican U.S. Senate candidates Kevin Nicholson and Leah Vukmir are staunch abortion foes — but won’t say if they want the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Roe v. Wade decision overturned. […] ‘I believe the Constitution is pro-life,’ Nicholson said, adding that he would ‘support judges that also view the Constitution as pro-life.’  The two candidates are walking a fine line since the possibility of overturning Roe v. Wade is the greatest it has been in decades because of the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 7/31/18]

2018: Nicholson Supported Banning Abortion In All Cases, Including In Cases Of Rape And Incest. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Nicholson said the ad ‘misrepresents’ his views on the issue. He said he has become pro-life through his experiences of marriage and raising his family.  ‘They know the mission of the pro-life movement is to pull people to the side of protecting innocent life, and my story is representative,’ he said.  The two candidates received a 100% rating on answers to a questionnaire from Pro-Life Wisconsin.  In that questionnaire, the candidates agreed to vote in favor of legislation that bans abortion in all cases, including rape and incest. They also agreed to back the Sanctity of Human Life Act, which says human life begins with fertilization.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 7/31/18]

 

Abortion, Generally

Nicholson Prayed That Roe V. Wade Would Be Overturned. According to American Independent, “‘What we're seeing here,’ he said, ‘is that Roe v. Wade may be overturned. And I pray that it will be.’” [American Independent, 5/11/22]

Nicholson: “I’m Proudly Pro-Life And Proud To Have The Endorsements Of Pro-Life Wisconsin And Wisconsin Family Action PAC!” “I’m proudly pro-life and proud to have the endorsements of Pro-Life Wisconsin and Wisconsin Family Action PAC!” [Facebook, Kevin Nicholson, 5/4/22]

Nicholson Said He Considered Himself “Unapologetically Pro-Life” Then Said “Left’s #FakeNews Outlets Can Vilify And Attack Me And The Great Work @NBFCorp Has Done All They Want” And Was “Proud” Of The Work They Both Have Done. According to Nicholson’s Twitter, “I'm unapologetically pro-life. The Left’s #FakeNews outlets can vilify and attack me and the great work @NBFCorp has done all they want, but I’m proud of the work we’ve done to support and help families as they bring new life into the world.” [Twitter, @KevinMNicholson, 4/22/22]

Nicholson’s Spokesperson Said He Would “Sign Legislation That Prevents Abortion And Protects Innocent Life.” According to Wisconsin Public Radio, “Proposed laws prohibiting abortion when a fetal heartbeat is detected have surfaced in Wisconsin and other states ahead of a key U.S. Supreme Court decision on a Mississippi law that could end or weaken the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion across the country. […] A campaign spokeswoman for Kevin Nicholson told WPR, ‘As governor, Kevin would sign legislation that prevents abortion and protects innocent life.’”[Wisconsin Public Radio, 2/21/22]

 

Wisconsin's 1849 Law

[Audio] Nicholson Said He Would Retroacively Prosecute Doctors Who Performed Abortions. [Kevin Nicholson, Dan O'Donnell Show, 6/27/22]

Nicholson Said “We Are Going To Protect Innocent Life. And We Are Going To Actually Enforce The Laws On The Books.” According to Fox6 News Milwaukee, “A Wisconsin law from 1849 and still on the books bans abortions, but Roe has made that unenforceable. After Roe is scrapped, the state law would be back, but likely would face legal challenges. […] ‘We are going to protect innocent life. And we are going to actually enforce the laws on the books," said Republican Kevin Nicholson on The Regular Joe Show.’” [Fox6 News Milwaukee, 5/5/22]

Nicholson Called On Evers, Kaul, And Chisholm To “Respect And Enforce Existing Wisconsin Law Banning Abortions, Should Roe V. Wade Be Overturned.” According to a press release from Nicholson’s campaign, “Kevin Nicholson is calling on Governor Tony Evers, Attorney General Josh Kaul, and Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm to respect and enforce existing Wisconsin law banning abortions in the state, should Roe v. Wade be overturned by the Supreme Court of the United States.” [Kevin Nicholson via WisPolitics, press release, 5/4/22]

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Nicholson Said He Would “Fire Any County District Attorney Or Sheriff Who Does Not Enforce” Wisconsin’s Abortion Law. According to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “They also suggested they would not sign legislation that provides more exceptions to the state's abortion ban, an 1849 law that is back in effect following Friday's ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. The three candidates also said they would fire any county district attorney or sheriff who does not enforce the law, as the district attorneys in Milwaukee and Dane counties have promised not to do.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6/28/22]

 

Reaction to Dobbs

Nicholson Tweeted “I Pray This Is True” In Response To Politico Article Politico Article That Said Supreme Court Voted To Overturn Abortion Rights. According to Nicholson’s Twitter, “I pray this is true. politico.com/news/2022/05/0…” [Twitter, @KevinMNicholson, 5/2/22]

 

Exceptions

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Nicholson Did Not “Want To Create Additional Exceptions” If Wisconsin’s Abortion Ban Was Reinstated. According to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “The U.S. Supreme Court this summer will decide whether to keep in place the Roe v. Wade decision. A ruling overturning it could immediately reinstate Wisconsin's 19th-century law banning almost all abortions. […] Wisconsin has a law on the books from 1849 that bans abortion except to save the life of a woman. That law has been on hold since Roe was decided in 1973 but would go back into effect if the justices overturned that ruling, as attorneys for Mississippi have requested. […] The Republicans running for governor — former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, management consultant Kevin Nicholson and state Rep. Timothy Ramthun — don’t want to create additional exceptions if Wisconsin’s abortion ban is reinstated.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3/24/22]

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Nicholson Said He “Would Not Sign Legislation That Provides More Exceptions To The State’s Abortion Ban.” According to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “The three candidates on Monday all agreed to sign legislation that would ban transgender children and teenagers from undergoing gender reassignment surgeries, and ban employers from requiring staff to get vaccinated. They also suggested they would not sign legislation that provides more exceptions to the state's abortion ban, an 1849 law that is back in effect following Friday's ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 6/28/22]

 

Crisis Pregnancy Centers

Nicholson Said He Would End State Funding Of Planned Parenthood And Instead Publicly Fund Pregnancy Resource Centers. According to Nicholson’s Twitter, “.@ProLifeWI, @WRTL, @WIFamilyAction, & @WILawLiberty are right to call out @GovEvers. As Governor, I'll ensure we end state funding going to Planned Parenthood. Instead, we will initiate state funding of existing Pregnancy Resource Centers throughout WI.” [Twitter, @KevinMNicholson, 2/28/22]

Nicholson Said He Would Protect Innocent Life By “Ending State Funding Of Planned Parenthood & Supporting Existing Pregnancy Resource Centers.” According to Nicholson’s Twitter, “I’m honored to be the only candidate for Governor that’s been endorsed by both @ProLifeWI and @WIFamilyAction PAC. As Governor, I'll protect innocent life which includes ending state funding of Planned Parenthood & supporting existing pregnancy resource centers.” [Twitter, @KevinMNicholson, 6/24/22]

Nicholson: “As Your Governor, I Want To Make Sure That Every Last Cent That Still Finds Its Way From The State Of Wisconsin To Planned Parenthood Is Shifted Over To Those Pregnancy Resource Centers To Protect Innocent Life.” According to NBC 26, “‘As your governor, I want to make sure that every last cent that still finds its way from the State of Wisconsin to Planned Parenthood is shifted over to those pregnancy resource centers to protect innocent life,’ Nicholson said.” [NBC 26, 6/27/22]

 

Endorsements

Nicholson Was “Honored” To Be The Only Candidate For Governor Endorsed By Both Pro Life WI And WI Family Action PAC. According to Nicholson’s Twitter, “I’m honored to be the only candidate for Governor that’s been endorsed by both @ProLifeWI and @WIFamilyAction PAC. As Governor, I'll protect innocent life which includes ending state funding of Planned Parenthood & supporting existing pregnancy resource centers.” [Twitter, @KevinMNicholson, 6/24/22]

 

Kevin Nicholson Ran Non-Profit That Pushed Sham Pregnancy Clinics 

Nicholson Was The Founder, President, And CEO Of No Better Friend Corp. 

Nicholson Founded No Better Friend Corp. According to No Better Friend Corp.’s website, “As a U.S. Marine, Kevin Nicholson, our founder, learned the leadership qualities of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. On the battlefield and at home, Marines the world over have adopted the calling card ‘No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy’ to encapsulate their spirit and their attitude towards solving problems. It’s from this calling card that we draw our name, ‘No Better Friend Corp.’” [NoBetterFriendCorp.com, accessed 1/28/22]

2019: Nicholson Was The President And CEO Of No Better Friend Corp. According to No Better Friend Corp.’s Form 990, Kevin Nicholson was the President and CEO of the organization. [Form 990, No Better Friend Corp., filed 6/10/20]

By 2022 Nicholson Was No Longer President Of The Organization

2022: Nicholson Was No Longer President Of No Better Friend Corp. According to Nicholson’s campaign website, “Kevin Nicholson is a husband and father, native Wisconsinite, Marine Corps veteran, private sector businessman, and the founder and former volunteer president of No Better Friend Corp.” [NicholsonforWisconsin.com, accessed 1/28/22]

No Better Friend Corp. Opposed Abortion And Pushed Pregnant People To Visit Sham Clinics 

No better Friend Corp. Was Anti-Choice And Worked With Crisis Pregnancy Centers To Provide Misleading Information To Pregnant People

No Better Friend Corp. Was An Anti-Choice Organization That Worked With Other Anti-Choice Organizations In Wisconsin. According to No Better Friend Corp.’s website, “No Better Friend Corp. is committed to promoting a culture of life, and to protecting the most innocent amongst us. We work with pro-life advocates and organizations throughout Wisconsin to provide practical support in order to encourage families to choose life.” [NoBetterFriendCorp.com, accessed 1/28/22]

No Better Friend Corp. Worked With Crisis Pregnancy Centers. According to No Better Friend Corp.’s website, “No Better Friend Corp. works with crisis pregnancy and resource centers and shelters throughout Wisconsin to donate diapers and personal protection equipment to encourage families to choose life.” [NoBetterFriendCorp.com, accessed 1/28/22]

 

No Better Friend Corp. Referred People Looking For Pregnancy Resources To No Better Friends For Life

No Better Friend Corp.’s Website Offered “Pregnancy Resources” Through No Better Friends For Life. [NoBetterFriendCorp.com, accessed 1/28/22] 

 

No Better Friends For Life Did Not Discuss Abortion As An Option

No Better Friends For Life Pushed Two Options For People Who Were Pregnant: Parenting And Adoption. [NoBetterFriendWI.com, accessed 1/28/22]

 

No Better Friends For Life Advised Anyone Who Had A Positive Pregnancy Test To Schedule An Ultrasound, An Anti-Choice Tactic 

No Better Friends For Life Recommended That Anyone Who Suspected They Were Pregnant Go To A Clinic For An Ultrasound. According to No Better Friends For Life, “If you have taken a positive pregnancy test, the next step is to have an ultrasound. […] Although pregnancy tests are fairly accurate, the ultrasound actually confirms the pregnancy and makes sure your baby has implanted in your uterus (and not in the fallopian tubes which will not allow enough room to grow).” [NoBetterFriendsWI.com, accessed 1/28/22]

No Better Friends For Life Directed People To A Crisis Pregnancy Center In Wisconsin

No Better Friends For Life Directed Website Visitors To A Crisis Pregnancy Center. According to No Better Friends For Life’s website, appointments could be made at First Choice Pregnancy Resource Center in Stevens Point. [NoBetterFriendsWI.com, accessed 1/28/22]

 

National Abortion Federation: Crisis Pregnancy Centers Are Anti-Choice Centers Disguised As Medical Clinics That Use Misinformation And Intimidation To Prevent Women From Having Abortions

National Abortion Federation: Crisis Pregnancy Centers Are “Facilities That Look Like Medical Clinics But Are Actually Anti-Choice Centers.” According to the National Abortion Federation, “Women have reported to the National Abortion Federation (NAF) that they have sought advice and counseling from facilities that look like medical clinics but are actually anti-choice centers that give them false information and leave them feeling betrayed and misled” [National Abortion Federation, “Crisis Pregnancy Centers: An Affront to Choice,” 2006]

National Abortion Federation: “Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) Exist To Keep Women From Having Abortions” Through Misinformation, Intimidation, And Harassment. “Women have reported to the National Abortion Federation (NAF) that they have sought advice and counseling from facilities that look like medical clinics but are actually anti-choice centers that give them false information and leave them feeling betrayed and misled. These women often come to NAF member clinics angry and confused about their experience and afraid that they will be treated this way again. This report seeks to educate individuals about these deceptive facilities and empower women to make fully informed decisions about their reproductive health care. […] Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) exist to keep women from having abortions. In many instances, they misinform and intimidate women to achieve their goal.” [National Abortion Federation, “Crisis Pregnancy Centers: An Affront to Choice,” 2006]