A few Republicans running for competitive or Democratic-leaning congressional seats are adopting and reviving a label that was nearly extinct in their party: pro-choice.
The terminology marks some of the biggest changes in how the Republican Party is approaching abortion and reproductive issues that have challenged the party electorally since the Supreme Court overturned the federal right to abortion in 2022.
It is also frustrating Democrats and reproductive rights advocates, who say Republicans are trying to redefine the term without fully supporting abortion rights.
Matt Gunderson, the GOP challenger to Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif.), released a campaign ad last month in which he says directly to the camera: “On women’s right to choose, I am pro-choice. I believe abortion should be safe, legal, and rare.”
The Southern California district that Gunderson seeks to flip is rated as "likely Democrat" in a Decision Desk HQ/The Hill election forecast. In an interview with The Hill, Gunderson said that “this is not a politically expedient position I've taken” and that he has long opposed “government dictating health care for any woman.”
But that does not necessarily extend to supporting federal protections for abortion.
“I oppose late-term abortion. I've made it very clear that I will not vote for a federal abortion ban, and I've said I will not vote to codify Roe v. Wade,” Gunderson said. “The Supreme Court has sent this to the states. It's a states’ rights issue.”
Levin told The Hill that his opponent is “trying to deceive people” by labeling himself "pro-choice."
“I don't really think you can be pro-choice if you believe states........