Republican Candidate for Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno made some disparaging and disrespectful remarks against women over 50 years of age who support abortion rights and reproductive freedom.
Bernie Moreno, GOP Candidate for Senator, disparages women
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In a shocking display of insensitivity, Ohio GOP Senatorial candidate Bernie Moreno has ignited a firestorm of controversy over remarks he made about women supporting reproductive rights. In a recently surfaced video from a campaign event in Lebanon, Ohio, Moreno dismisses the concerns of women over 50 regarding abortion rights. The comments were not only dismissive but profoundly disrespectful to women, showing a deep disconnect between Moreno’s understanding of women’s rights and the reality of reproductive freedom in America.
Moreno’s statement, in which he remarks that women over 50 should not be concerned about abortion, reflects a pervasive attitude within certain conservative circles that devalues the voices of women, particularly those who are not of childbearing age. He stated, “For women past 50, I’m thinking to myself, I don’t think that’s an issue for you.” This flippant dismissal of women’s reproductive rights sends a dangerous message that only young women are entitled to agency over their bodies and that reproductive rights are somehow a generational issue rather than a fundamental human right.
Moreno’s comment is not just an offhanded gaffe; it is emblematic of a broader pattern within the Republican Party to minimize and trivialize women’s concerns, particularly on the issue of abortion. For years, the GOP has worked tirelessly to restrict access to abortion, undermining women’s autonomy and making reproductive healthcare increasingly inaccessible. By dismissing the concerns of women over 50, Moreno adds insult to injury, implying that only those who are still of childbearing age have a legitimate stake in the abortion debate.
This attitude underscores a disturbing trend in the GOP: the belief that women’s voices only matter when they align with conservative ideology. If a woman dares to express support for abortion rights, she is labeled “crazy” or irrational, as Moreno’s own words demonstrate. He characterizes women who prioritize reproductive rights as “single-issue voters,” suggesting that their concerns are somehow trivial or unfounded. This rhetoric is demeaning and overlooks the complexity of the abortion debate. For many women, abortion is not just a “single issue” but a matter of bodily autonomy, economic freedom, and healthcare access.
Moreover, Moreno’s comments betray a fundamental misunderstanding of reproductive justice. Abortion rights do not only affect women of childbearing age. Women over 50, like all people, have a vested interest in defending reproductive freedom. Many of these women have lived through times when abortion was illegal or highly restricted, and they understand the devastating consequences of denying women control over their bodies. They vote to protect these hard-won rights for future generations, not because they expect to seek abortions themselves, but because they believe in the principle that every woman should have the right to choose. After all, they have daughters, granddaughters, nieces, and cousins.
In his disdain for older women’s concerns about abortion, Moreno also ignores the broader context of reproductive rights in America. This is not just a debate about abortion access for the young; it is about safeguarding the fundamental rights of all people, ensuring that no government or political party can dictate what happens to a person’s body. Reproductive rights encompass far more than just abortion—they are about access to contraception, prenatal care, and protection from forced sterilization. By narrowing the conversation to abortion and dismissing the concerns of older women, Moreno reveals a shallow understanding of what’s at stake.
Furthermore, his remarks reveal a deep disregard for the broader fight for women’s equality. Abortion access is closely tied to economic justice, healthcare equity, and the right to live free from government intrusion into personal lives. By demeaning women’s reproductive rights, Moreno is not just alienating potential voters; he is undermining the values of fairness and freedom that are supposed to be at the core of American democracy.
It is also significant that this incident occurred in Ohio, where the Democratic incumbent, Senator Sherrod Brown, has long been a champion of workers’ rights, healthcare access, and reproductive freedom. Brown has consistently stood up for women’s rights, advocating for expanded access to reproductive healthcare and defending the rights of all Ohioans to make decisions about their bodies. Moreno, on the other hand, represents the worst of the GOP’s war on women: a disdain for women’s autonomy, a lack of understanding about the importance of reproductive justice, and an eagerness to pander to a base that has become increasingly hostile to women’s rights.
In the coming months, Ohioans must decide whether they want a Senator who respects and defends their rights or mocks and dismisses their concerns. As Moreno’s comments clarify, the reproductive freedom stakes have never been higher. Women in Ohio, including those over 50, deserve better than a candidate who belittles their voices and trivializes their rights. This election is about more than just one Senate seat—it is about the future of reproductive justice in America.
The fight for reproductive rights has always been about more than just the right to an abortion—it is about the right of all people, regardless of age, to make decisions about their bodies and their futures. Bernie Moreno’s comments are a stark reminder of just how far the GOP is willing to go to undermine those rights. It is up to the voters of Ohio—and women across the country—to ensure that politicians like Moreno do not succeed in their efforts to roll back decades of progress.
In an era where women’s rights are under assault from multiple angles, the time for complacency is over. The fight for reproductive justice is ongoing, and it is a fight that women of all ages must wage—because everyone, no matter their age or reproductive status, deserves to live in a country where their rights are respected and protected.
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