Dr. Kristin Lyerly and Dr. Kelly Morrison, both obstetricians and gynecologists, have decided to run for Congress in hopes of becoming the only pro-abortion rights OBGYNs on Capitol Hill. Their decision to enter politics comes amid the erosion of abortion rights since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago. Lyerly, who has been working as an OBGYN for over 15 years, is running for a congressional seat in Wisconsin, while Morrison, who has been practicing for over 20 years, is running in Minnesota. Both women have expressed concerns over the impact of abortion bans and restrictions on women’s health.
Lyerly’s practice in Minnesota has not been significantly affected by abortion bans, but she has heard stories from colleagues in Wisconsin who fear legal repercussions for counseling women about abortion-inducing medication. Morrison, who is also serving in the Minnesota state legislature, shares Lyerly’s concerns. Both women emphasize the importance of protecting and expanding access to reproductive care in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling on Roe v. Wade. If elected, they both plan to work towards efforts to codify Roe v. Wade to ensure American women have access to reproductive care.
In contrast, the only other OBGYN physicians currently in Congress, Rep. Michael Burgess of Texas and Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas, are anti-abortion. Burgess, who does not support abortion, has worked to prohibit abortions from being performed at medical facilities in Texas. Marshall has backed false or misleading claims about abortion, including supporting abortion bans after 20 weeks based on disputed claims about fetal pain perception. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has refuted these claims.
Lyerly and Morrison face different paths to Congress, with Lyerly running in the solidly Republican Eighth District in Wisconsin and Morrison running in the solidly Democratic Third District in Minnesota. While the Eighth District has historically leaned Republican, Lyerly hopes to appeal to voters who may be open to voting for a Democrat. In contrast, Morrison is expected to face less of a challenging race given Minnesota’s Democratic leanings. Both women hope to bring their expertise and firsthand experiences in women’s healthcare to Capitol Hill to advocate for reproductive rights and access to care.
The issue of abortion is expected to play a significant role in both Lyerly and Morrison’s campaigns, with voters in Wisconsin and Minnesota holding varying opinions on abortion rights. A slight majority of Wisconsin voters favor a nationwide abortion ban after 15 weeks, while a majority oppose the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. In Minnesota, a significant percentage of adults support abortion access, making Morrison’s path to Congress potentially less challenging. Ultimately, both candidates are hoping to bring a fresh perspective and a commitment to protecting reproductive rights to Congress.
Despite facing obstacles in their respective races, both Lyerly and Morrison remain optimistic about the possibility of effecting change in Congress. While the institution may be dysfunctional, they believe in the promise of the country and the importance of sending representatives who will work towards progress. Republican strategists are confident they can hold onto the Eighth District seat in Wisconsin, citing high base turnout in past elections. In contrast, the Third District race in Minnesota is considered solidly Democratic, giving Morrison a clearer path to Congress. Regardless of the challenges ahead, both women are determined to advocate for women’s health and reproductive rights if elected.
