U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick outlined what he termed a “pro-family agenda” during a campaign stop Tuesday at the Sheraton Hotel in Falls Township.
Joined by State Rep. Kristin Marcell and Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn, McCormick stated his opposition to full abortion bans, adding he supports exceptions for rape, incest, and when the mother’s life is at risk, but opposes late-term abortions.
The candidate’s comments come amid Democratic criticisms tying Republican candidates to strict abortion stances supported by members of their party.
The businessman-turned-politician, who is running against incumbent Democrat U.S. Senator Bob Casey, also proposed a comprehensive family support plan that includes a $15,000 tax credit for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments, expansion of school choice, and restrictions on social media usage by children under 16 or not allowing it unless a rigorous parental approval process is in place.
The candidate told his supporters in the audience that he is typically for a smaller government, but he supports more government oversight regarding social media access by minors.
McCormick told the voters he was for doubling the child tax credit, maintaining paid family and medical leave tax credits in the tax code, and wants to establish tax-free savings accounts for childcare expenses.
The Republican argued that the measures would strengthen American families.
“Most people are for good, strong families,” he said.
Marcell, a mother with two siblings who were conceived through IVF, echoed McCormick’s support for IVF treatments and expressed concerns about children’s access to social media.
McCormick, who missed securing the Republican nomination in the 2022 U.S. Senate GOP primary, said he would address inflation and support workforce training.
In past years, Casey had called himself a “pro-life Democrat” and his father, the state’s governor, passed a law restricting abortion in the early 1990s. However, he has soften his view of abortion in recent years, according to the Associated Press.
Outside the event, a group of Democrats, including Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie and State Rep. Jim Prokopiak, held a rally criticizing McCormick’s previous comments in support of the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
“David McCormick calling the overturning of Roe v. Wade a ‘huge victory’ is exactly why Pennsylvanians can’t trust him to be for them,” said Prokopiak.
The issue of abortion remains central in campaigns following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, with many Republicans in support of new restrictions on abortion.
Polling from this month has shown Casey with a noteworthy lead over McCormick.
