Montana Governor Greg Gianforte Faces Election Amid Abortion Rights Debate
Montana’s Republican Governor, Greg Gianforte, a long-time opponent of abortion rights, is on the ballot this November alongside a significant abortion rights referendum. Gianforte is seeking re-election for a second term, facing off against Ryan Busse, a former gun sales executive representing the Democratic Party.
Since taking office in 2021, Gianforte has signed multiple legislative measures aimed at restricting abortion access. These include a ban on abortions after 20 weeks of gestation, a prohibition on telehealth prescriptions for abortion medications, and a mandate for a 24-hour waiting period for those seeking abortions. These laws, however, were blocked by a state judge due to a 1999 Montana Supreme Court ruling protecting abortion access under the state’s right to privacy clause. Gianforte has pushed for the Montana Supreme Court to revisit this ruling.
In 2022, Gianforte expressed his approval of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, calling it “a historic win for life, families, and science.” He added, “With this monumental decision, the Supreme Court has restored power to the American people and their elected representatives. I’m in discussions with legislative leaders on next steps as we work to protect life in Montana.”
The following year, Gianforte signed a bill to ban abortions at 15 weeks gestation, which was subsequently challenged by Planned Parenthood of Montana. A district court judge in Helena blocked the law, again citing the 1999 state Supreme Court decision. Abortion remains legal in Montana up to between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation.
Outside of his political career, Gianforte has also made substantial donations to anti-abortion causes through the Gianforte Family Foundation, which he founded with his wife in 2004. The foundation aims to support the spiritual and economic flourishing of individuals and families in Montana. Between 2008 and 2018, the foundation donated over a million dollars to crisis pregnancy centers, which are often criticized for disseminating misleading or medically inaccurate information.
The foundation has also supported prominent anti-abortion organizations such as Montana Right to Life, the Montana Family Foundation, and the Charlotte Lozier Institute.
This November, Montanans will vote on a measure that could explicitly enshrine the right to an abortion in the state constitution. Should the measure fail and Gianforte secure re-election, it may enable him to pursue further abortion bans without judicial hindrance.
Ryan Busse, Gianforte’s opponent, lists protecting abortion access as a key priority on his campaign website. “Ryan is an unapologetic defender of the freedom of health care and reproductive choice, and of Montana’s constitutional right to privacy,” the site states. “He believes no politician has any right to make private health care decisions for women, including whether to have an abortion.”
A spokesperson for Gianforte did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding this story.
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