WASHINGTON — This November will be the first presidential election since the Supreme Court, with three of its justices appointed by then-President Donald Trump, ended the constitutional right to an abortion. That decision triggered anti-abortion laws in more than 20 states, including Texas. As a result, men are taking a prominent role in this campaign, speaking out in favor of reproductive rights.
Native Texan and radio host Ryan Hamilton was excited that he became a “girl dad.” He said when his wife was pregnant again a few months later, the new parents were feeling a bit more prepared.
“You’re scared with the first kid, right?” Hamilton told Spectrum News. “You’re getting all of this stuff for the first time, a crib, baby clothes, diapers, all of that for the first time. So with the second one, you feel prepared, and we really thought, ‘OK, we got this. We have everything we need, and it should be easier.’”
But it did not get easier. At 13 weeks, the fetus no longer had a heartbeat.
Hamilton says doctors in the Fort Worth area delayed giving his wife reproductive care, and he suspects it was because they were too afraid of the penalties under Texas’s abortion restrictions. The state bans abortion except to save the life of the pregnant patient.
The devastation and frustration motivated Hamilton to speak out.
“We expect the women who have been put through this torturous, traumatic thing to then go out on their own and retell these stories. As the men and partners — you know, brothers, fathers — is it not our responsibility to protect and defend our family?” Hamilton said.
Other men whose wives have been affected by Texas’ laws are opening up about their experiences, too. Josh and Amanda Zurawski were on stage at the Democratic National Convention back in August, speaking about being denied an abortion until Amanda’s health deteriorated.
“The fight for reproductive rights isn’t just a woman’s fight,” Josh Zurawski said. “This is about fighting for our families.”
From Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to second gentleman Doug Emhoff to Texas’ Democratic Senate candidate Colin Allred, men are speaking out in defense of abortion rights.
Still, some political analysts say abortion rights tend to be a more significant issue for women voters.
“In the post-Dobbs world, it tends to be more Democratic leaning men rather than Republican leaning men. So by and large, while this is an issue that is important for both men and women, it’s far more important for women,” said Mark Jones, a professor of political science at Rice University.
Hamilton says he and his wife come from families with a history of voting for Republicans and that he did not always think deeply about what the abortion restrictions meant.
“It happens to you, then you understand why and how it happens,” Hamilton said. “I would hope any man, after realizing how and why this terrible, terrible stuff is happening, you want to let the world know so you can fix it for the sake of your wife and daughter.”
“I will do whatever I can to protect my daughter and make sure that she never ends up bleeding out on a bathroom floor like her mom,” he continued.
Many Republicans, including Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who is seeking a third term, applauded the Supreme Court’s decision ending the right to abortion. They say abortion laws should be up to each state.