Rep. Nate Shannon, Supporter of Abortion Rights, Endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan
Democratic incumbent Representative Nate Shannon is running for reelection for House District 58. Rep. Shannon is a former public school teacher who was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2018.
After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Rep. Shannon posted a statement denouncing the decision, saying that it “puts women’s health at severe risk.” He stated that “[w]e have to do more to protect medical privacy, bodily autonomy, and freedoms that we have all come to accept throughout our lifetime.”
Once Roe was overturned, Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban could have gone into effect. Rep. Shannon called the ban “draconian” and expressed his support for taking action to ensure it does not go back into effect. Rep. Shannon voted for the group of bills that eventually repealed the 1931 abortion ban.
According to his campaign website, Rep. Shannon was endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, the Michigan affiliate of one of the country’s leading reproductive rights advocacy organizations. When Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan endorsed him previously, they said, “[y]ou can count on State Rep. Nate Shannon to protect and expand access to health care.”
Rep. Shannon’s Republican opponent is Ron Robinson. While Robinson does not include a position on abortion on his campaign website, he appears to have indicated his support for banning abortion. Robinson has received an endorsement from Right to Life of Michigan PAC, which only endorses candidates who support abortion bans, even in the case of rape and incest.
After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the Michigan Republican Party issued a statement praising the decision. According to the statement, the Court’s decision to overturn Roe was “a huge win” and “a cause for celebration.
Republicans throughout the country have attempted to enact strict abortion laws since the repeal of Roe v. Wade. In Michigan, the majority of Republican legislators voted against repealing the 1931 abortion ban that could have taken effect.
Note: this article has been updated to reflect the results of the August 6 primary.