State Senator Joan Ballweg Says She Is “Anti-Abortion,” While Opponent Sarah Keyeski Supports Access to Abortion “Without Government Interference”

Democratic candidate for Wisconsin Senate District 14 Sarah Keyeski says she believes that “women should have the right to make decisions, without governmental interference, over their bodies and about their reproductive options.” According to Keyeski, these decisions include access to abortion care, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and birth control. 

Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the issue of abortion rights has been left up to the states. Keyeski says she believes “we need to codify Roe into law so that women’s liberties are restored for our daughters.” 

Keyeski lists reproductive freedom as one of her top five campaign priorities. 

Republican incumbent Joan Ballweg has said she is “anti-abortion” and that she believes that “life begins at conception.” In 2022, after the leaked draft of the Supreme Court opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade was made public, Ballweg said that she would not want to change state law to include exceptions for rape and incest. According to Ripon Press, “the state senator said she is anti-abortion and, if the leaked Supreme Court opinion stands, would not be in favor of changing state law to include exemptions for rape or incest.”

Ballweg voted to uphold the state’s 1849 abortion ban, which included no exceptions for rape or incest and allowed doctors to be charged the felonies.

Updated September 26, 2024.