Indiana Supreme Court Reprimands AG For Remarks On Abortion Doctor
The court found Attorney General Todd Rokita violated lawyer professional conduct rules when he called Dr. Caitlin Bernard, the physician who performed an abortion on a 10 year-old Ohio rape victim, an "abortion activist acting as a doctor." Rokita then doubled-down on his criticism of Bernard.
Reuters:
Indiana Attorney General Reprimanded Over Abortion Doctor Remarks
A divided Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday publicly reprimanded Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita for statements he made about a doctor in the state who performed an abortion on a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio. The court found that Rokita violated professional conduct rules for lawyers when he described Dr. Caitlin Bernard in a July 2022 Fox News interview as an "abortion activist acting as a doctor" who had failed to report past child abuse cases. (Thomas, 11/2)
The Washington Post:
Indiana Supreme Court Reprimands AG Todd Rokita Over Fox News Comments
In his own statement to The Post, Rokita on Thursday doubled down on his criticism of Bernard, challenging “any objective Hoosier to conclude that she isn’t an ‘abortion activist,’ as I stated.” He referred to his comments on Fox News as “truthful,” adding that he could have fought over his “16-word answer” but opted to “save a lot of taxpayer money and distraction.” “In order to resolve this, I was required to sign an affidavit without any modifications,” Rokita said. (Paul, 11/3)
In election news —
Politico:
Tuberville Staffer Asks Anti-Abortion Groups To Float Primaries Against Republicans Who Oppose Military Holds
Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s spokesperson asked anti-abortion groups to "make clear" GOP senators risk primary challenges if they support an effort to overcome his military holds over a Pentagon abortion policy, according to an email obtained by POLITICO. The email, written by Tuberville’s communications director Steven Stafford from his Senate email address, made clear that the Alabama Republican’s staff is worried that at least nine Republicans might join with Democrats to pass a resolution that would allow the Senate to bypass Tuberville's holds. It was sent on Oct. 26, after news broke that senators were going to release a resolution that would allow the Senate to more easily stop Tuberville’s holds on more than 300 nominees up for military promotions. (Everett, 11/2)
The Guardian:
Anti-Abortion Misinformation Mounting Ahead Of Key Ohio Vote, Experts Warn
On Tuesday, Ohioans will vote on whether to amend the state constitution to enshrine the right to abortion. But powerful anti-abortion forces are arguing that the amendment will go beyond guaranteeing access to the procedure to imperil parents’ rights when it comes to abortion and even gender-affirming care. Experts and abortion rights supporters say these claims are spreading misinformation about the proposed amendment. (Sherman, 11/3)
The New York Times:
Election Day Guide: Governor Races, Abortion Access And More
Election Day is nearly here, and while off-year political races receive a fraction of the attention compared with presidential elections, some of Tuesday’s contests will be intensely watched. At stake are two southern governorships, control of the Virginia General Assembly and abortion access in Ohio. National Democrats and Republicans, seeking to build momentum moving toward next November, will be eyeing those results for signals about 2024. (Vigdor, 11/1)