[D]emocratic gubernatorial candidate James Ehlers has apologized for Facebook posts calling into question his pro-choice views.
Ehlers shared an article on his personal Facebook page in March 2015 about Colorado lawmakers rejecting a bill that would have protected babies born alive after failed abortions.
“Pray for these legislators and their victims,” he wrote in the post.
He also shared a YouTube video from the page “Catholic Vote,” writing: “Baby beheaded? Guess I don’t understand my dear friends who consider this as a ‘choice.’”
Campaign Communications Director Sarah Anders declined to make Ehlers available for an interview with VTDigger on Monday.
In a statement posted on Facebook Friday, Ehlers said that in earlier posts he was raising “specific questions on conventional thinking,” and that nowhere in the posts does he state he is opposed to a women’s right to choose.
“As a thinker and social commentator, I recognized the complexity in these issues; as a public servant, I have made my positions known and, while keeping an open door to everyone, I will stand by them,” he wrote.
Ehlers said he will strongly support Planned Parenthood if elected governor, and seek to increase funding for women’s health care and family planning services.
“There are times that I expressed my views in a way that lead to an unfortunate impact,” Ehlers wrote. “I regret that and apologize to those who have ever been offended, confused or disappointed in my choice of words. I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Vermont.”
