Statement from Phillip C. Parrish, Candidate for Governor of Minnesota 2026
As a candidate for Governor of Minnesota in 2026, I stand firmly against the reckless and misleading rhetoric of Senator Tina Smith, whose recent statements on X (Post ID: 1937555612079886717) peddle false narratives that exploit Minnesotans’ trust for political gain. Senator Smith’s claim that the overturning of Roe v. Wade three years ago has unleashed “chaos” and that “abortion bans kill women” is not only unsupported by evidence but a deliberate distortion of reality. As of June 25, 2025, data from the WeCount project reveals a staggering 1.14 million abortions in the U.S. in 2024—a 7% increase since 2023—driven largely by telehealth access, not a crisis of denied care. This contradicts her narrative of widespread suffering, exposing her words as fearmongering rather than fact.
The hypocrisy in Smith’s stance is glaring. She paints abortion as a life-saving necessity, yet the data—less than 1-2% of abortions linked to rape, incest, or maternal danger (Guttmacher Institute)—shows the vast majority are driven by convenience, not medical urgency. To call this “healthcare” while ignoring the termination of 1.14 million lives in a single year is a moral bankruptcy that rivals genocide in any other context. Her failure to address this contradiction—defending a practice that ends more lives annually than most wars, while decrying “guys in suits”—reveals an intellectually broken reasoning that prioritizes ideology over human dignity.
Even more troubling is Smith’s refusal to tackle the root causes of unwanted pregnancies. If her alleged concern is rape, incest, or harm, where is her push for stronger law enforcement, victim support, or accessible emergency contraception? Instead, she champions unrestricted access via telehealth—25% of abortions by December 2024 (The Guardian)—sidestepping prevention strategies like comprehensive sex education or contraception access, which could reduce the need for abortion altogether. This omission exposes a political agenda that thrives on division rather than solutions, leaving Minnesotans to bear the consequences of her inaction.
As Governor, I will reject these misleading narratives and focus on protecting all life—born and unborn—while addressing the real issues: supporting victims of violence, improving maternal health, and ensuring effective family planning. Senator Smith’s approach is a disservice to Minnesota’s values, and I call on her to abandon this morally hollow crusade and engage in honest, solution-driven leadership. The people of Minnesota deserve better.
Phillip C. Parrish
Candidate for Governor of Minnesota 2026
June 25, 2025
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