Doug Mastriano argues women who violate the proposed abortion ban should face murder charges

Doug Mastriano, Pennsylvania's Republican gubernatorial candidate backed by former President Donald Trump, previously insisted that women who violate the proposed abortion ban should be subjected to murder charges.

Earlier this week, NBC unearthed Mastriano's interview with radio station WITF. The state senator made the controversial remarks in 2019.

At the time, Mastriano was asked “who decided to have an abortion, which would be considered illegal abortion, be charged with murder?”

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“OK, let’s go back to the basic question there,” Mastriano responded. “Is that a human being? Is that a little boy or girl? If it is, it deserves equal protection under the law.”

“So you’re saying yes?” asked the interviewer.

“Yes, I am,” Mastriano confirmed.

The reports about Mastriano's previous interview have resurfaced amid reports about his recent appearance on the conservative network, Real America’s Voice.

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During the appearance, he claimed that his views of abortion “are kind of irrelevant because I cannot rule by fiat or edict or executive order on the issue of life.”

“It’s up to the people of Pennsylvania,” he added. “So if Pennsylvanians want exceptions, if they want to limit the number of weeks, it’s going to have to come from your legislative body and then to my desk.”

As the midterm election approaches, poll predictions suggest Mastriano is fighting a difficult battle against his Democratic rival Josh Shapiro.

Watch the video below or at this link.

READ MORE: 'Yes': Doug Mastriano confirms that he wants women who get abortions to be charged with murder