Abortion debate spreads to governor's race

WISH TV

Jim Shella

Updated: Oct 31, 2012 6:05 PM

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Four women who say they were conceived in rape are now making a video designed to help Senate candidate Richard Mourdock.

Mourdock's campaign has been hurt by the controversy surrounding his statement that a pregnancy caused by rape is "what God intended." Pro-life forces from around the country are rallying to support him.

At an Indianapolis television production studio a pro-life foundation is creating a video that features the four women who say they want their voices heard in the political firestorm surrounding Richard Mourdock. Pam Stenzel, who came in from Minnesota says of Mourdock, "What he said is every life has value."

"There is no apologies for what he said," says Monica Kelsey of Woodburn, Indiana. "My life matters."

In the meantime, Democrat John Gregg has a new ad in the race for governor that attempts to tie Republican Mike Pence to Mourdock. It includes video of Pence saying, "I support his candidacy for the Senate" in footage taken following the controversial comments.

A second ad from a union political action committee is meant to help the Gregg campaign out. It quotes Mourdock and then says, "He's just like Mike Pence."

Pence says he thinks voters understand his position.

"I have a very consistent record on the right to life in the Congress," he says, "and I've consistently voted for exceptions in cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother."

But for Pam Stenzel and the others this is about more than an election.

"This discussion needs to go on way beyond Tuesday," she says.
 

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