Montana Gov. Steve Bullock (D) on Monday argued that abortion should not be a litmus test for members of the Democratic Party. He made his comments in Fort Madison, Iowa, the Daily Caller reported.
Bullock said he has been a long-time supporter of "a woman's right to make her own health care decisions." He argued that a decision to have an abortion should be made between a woman “in consultation with her doctor, her family, and her faith, if she so chooses.”
"It shouldn't be the government's [decision] but I also think that ours in not a party that should be excluding people based on any litmus test issues, and I can respect people who disagree with me on issues and listen to them without saying that we should be slicing [and] dicing the electorate along the way,” he explained.
Bullock's statement comes as the Democratic Attorneys General Association announced their litmus test. In order to receive an endorsement, a candidate has publicly declare their support for abortion. The group said they "will refuse to endorse anyone who does not support reproductive rights and expanding access to abortion services."
Back in May, when Alabama passed their pro-life heart beat bill, Bullock told CNN's Jake Tapper that the Supreme Court decided the abortion issue years ago but said he believes "life begins at viability."
The Montana governor is struggling to gain momentum in a crowded Democratic field. He failed to qualify for Wednesday night's Democratic Debate in Georgia. The only debate Bullock has qualified for and participated in was the July debate, when the requirements weren't as stringent.
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