Republican from New York Changes Narrative on Abortion Access in Advertisement, Challenging Democrats
Marc Molinaro aims to clarify his position, while his Democratic opponent criticizes him as “anti-choice.”
TroibNews 
**NEW YORK — A Republican is venturing into territory typically dominated by Democrats this election cycle in New York, unveiling a TV ad that highlights reproductive rights.**
Rep. Marc Molinaro aims to clarify his position in “Where I Stand,” which began airing on Friday.
The 30-second advertisement is straightforward, showcasing the GOP first-term congressman speaking directly to the camera to address recent Democratic attacks portraying him as anti-abortion.
“I believe health decisions should be between a woman and her doctor, not Washington,” Molinaro states.
The vulnerable upstate New York Republican is confronting the very issue that Democrats, including his opponent Josh Riley, frontline Rep. Pat Ryan, and organizations like the DCCC and House Majority Forward, have been targeting in their ad campaigns against the GOP.
Democrats contend that GOP members in swing districts cannot be trusted to oppose a nationwide abortion ban supported by some party leaders. They highlight Republican votes this term concerning access to abortion for military personnel, funding for crisis pregnancy centers, and penalties for doctors who perform abortions, claiming these actions reveal hypocrisy.
Molinaro’s district is one of six competitive areas in New York projected to play a critical role in determining which party will control the House in the upcoming year.
“Marc Molinaro has spent his 30-year political career attacking women’s health and reproductive freedom, and now he’s trying to cover his tracks during election season,” Riley responded regarding the new abortion-focused advertisement.
In his defense, Molinaro asserts that he does not align with his party on in vitro fertilization, a stance emphasized in his ad. The topic gained attention after an Alabama Supreme Court ruling classified frozen embryos as children, prompting the state legislature to mitigate some of the implications.
In New York, both Molinaro and Rep. Mike Lawler have identified IVF as a potential area for bipartisan agreement.
They both describe themselves as “personally pro-life,” have participated in or contributed to pregnancy crisis centers aimed at dissuading women from seeking abortions, and recently hosted Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.), co-chair of the House Pro-Life Caucus, in their districts.
However, both Molinaro and the four other New York Republicans targeted by Democrats firmly oppose a nationwide abortion ban.
The advertising battle in New York’s 19th Congressional District, which encompasses five media markets, is expected to be a costly endeavor. According to AdImpact, roughly $14 million has already been earmarked for advertisements by the Republican-aligned Congressional Leadership Fund and the Democrats’ House Majority PAC as of Friday. Molinaro’s campaign has not disclosed its planned expenditure on TV ads, though the Republican has spent or reserved $221,000 for advertising, while Riley has allocated $680,000, according to the ad-tracking service.
Molinaro previously lost a special election in 2022 to Ryan, who consistently criticized the Republican on abortion rights as a critical freedom to be protected. (Ryan is currently facing GOP challenger Alison Esposito in his reelection campaign, emphasizing her support for overturning Roe v. Wade.)
Molinaro’s latest ad underscores that reproductive rights are a significant concern in his district, even as Republicans in other parts of the state assert that the issue isn’t as relevant there.
Riley, a former Senate counsel, highlighted the distinction regarding abortion access.
“I’m pro-choice, he’s anti-choice,” Riley stated, “and it’s really that simple.”
A version of this story first appeared Friday in New York Playbook. Subscribe here.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
Rep. Marc Molinaro aims to clarify his position in “Where I Stand,” which began airing on Friday.
The 30-second advertisement is straightforward, showcasing the GOP first-term congressman speaking directly to the camera to address recent Democratic attacks portraying him as anti-abortion.
“I believe health decisions should be between a woman and her doctor, not Washington,” Molinaro states.
The vulnerable upstate New York Republican is confronting the very issue that Democrats, including his opponent Josh Riley, frontline Rep. Pat Ryan, and organizations like the DCCC and House Majority Forward, have been targeting in their ad campaigns against the GOP.
Democrats contend that GOP members in swing districts cannot be trusted to oppose a nationwide abortion ban supported by some party leaders. They highlight Republican votes this term concerning access to abortion for military personnel, funding for crisis pregnancy centers, and penalties for doctors who perform abortions, claiming these actions reveal hypocrisy.
Molinaro’s district is one of six competitive areas in New York projected to play a critical role in determining which party will control the House in the upcoming year.
“Marc Molinaro has spent his 30-year political career attacking women’s health and reproductive freedom, and now he’s trying to cover his tracks during election season,” Riley responded regarding the new abortion-focused advertisement.
In his defense, Molinaro asserts that he does not align with his party on in vitro fertilization, a stance emphasized in his ad. The topic gained attention after an Alabama Supreme Court ruling classified frozen embryos as children, prompting the state legislature to mitigate some of the implications.
In New York, both Molinaro and Rep. Mike Lawler have identified IVF as a potential area for bipartisan agreement.
They both describe themselves as “personally pro-life,” have participated in or contributed to pregnancy crisis centers aimed at dissuading women from seeking abortions, and recently hosted Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.), co-chair of the House Pro-Life Caucus, in their districts.
However, both Molinaro and the four other New York Republicans targeted by Democrats firmly oppose a nationwide abortion ban.
The advertising battle in New York’s 19th Congressional District, which encompasses five media markets, is expected to be a costly endeavor. According to AdImpact, roughly $14 million has already been earmarked for advertisements by the Republican-aligned Congressional Leadership Fund and the Democrats’ House Majority PAC as of Friday. Molinaro’s campaign has not disclosed its planned expenditure on TV ads, though the Republican has spent or reserved $221,000 for advertising, while Riley has allocated $680,000, according to the ad-tracking service.
Molinaro previously lost a special election in 2022 to Ryan, who consistently criticized the Republican on abortion rights as a critical freedom to be protected. (Ryan is currently facing GOP challenger Alison Esposito in his reelection campaign, emphasizing her support for overturning Roe v. Wade.)
Molinaro’s latest ad underscores that reproductive rights are a significant concern in his district, even as Republicans in other parts of the state assert that the issue isn’t as relevant there.
Riley, a former Senate counsel, highlighted the distinction regarding abortion access.
“I’m pro-choice, he’s anti-choice,” Riley stated, “and it’s really that simple.”
A version of this story first appeared Friday in New York Playbook. Subscribe here.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
