JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) -U.S. Senate candidate Katrina Christiansen has reaffirmed her long-standing commitment to reproductive freedom following a significant ruling by the North Dakota state district court, which struck down the state’s near-total abortion ban. Judge Bruce Romanick ruled that the North Dakota Constitution guarantees a fundamental right to access abortion before fetal viability.
In a statement, Christiansen said, “I believe having an abortion is a personal decision that should be between a patient, their family, and their doctor. This law denied access to vital treatments and threatened criminal liability for exempted emergency care providers at the whim of after-the-fact prosecutors.”
Christiansen expressed her support for the court’s decision, emphasizing the inalienable rights to life, liberty, and happiness as guaranteed by the state constitution. However, she warned that the fight for reproductive rights is far from over, noting that women should not have to rely on courts to protect their rights. “While I applaud this temporary reprieve, the fact remains that reproductive rights are not federally protected. That is why I remain committed to supporting federal legislation guaranteeing women access to the healthcare they need and deserve,” she added.
A key part of Christiansen’s Senate campaign has been ensuring safe and accessible healthcare for all North Dakotans, particularly in rural areas with limited access. Christiansen has criticized career politicians like U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer, who supports a federal abortion ban, for threatening reproductive rights. She also warned that if the North Dakota Supreme Court were to overturn Judge Romanick’s ruling, women and doctors would once again face the risk of unjust prosecution for seeking or providing vital care.
As she continues her campaign for the U.S. Senate, Christiansen is committed to fighting for expanded healthcare access and protecting the rights of North Dakota families. She argues that overturning this ruling would be a step backward for accessible healthcare across the state.
For Christiansen, the ruling represents a win for reproductive freedom and a broader victory for healthcare access, a core issue of her campaign.