A local reporter grilled Republican congressional candidate, state Rep. Richard Holtorf (R), over his glaring hypocrisy on abortion rights during an interview this week.
Earlier this year, Holtorf admitted to paying for his girlfriend to get an abortion and defended the decision even though he is a staunch pro-life lawmaker who has supported measures to restrict abortion access for women in Colorado.
Holtorf, who is seeking the GOP nomination for Colorado’s 4th congressional district, doubled down in an interview with local 9News anchor Kyle Clark when pressed on his hypocrisy.
“If abortion was the best choice for your girlfriend, why try to deny that choice to other women?” Clark asked.
“So let me give you some context about that situation. Because I’m a pro-life Catholic and I believe everyone should choose life,” Holtorf responded. “Now, if you listen to my presentation on the House floor, did you listen to it?”
“I did, in fact, I just quoted from it,” Clark fired back. “In fairness, your logic was a bit scattered in that speech. What I’m asking you about is the fact that you said that you respected your girlfriend’s right to an abortion, and then gave her money to help her through an important time ‘to live her best life.’ But yet you’ve tried to deny that to other women. And I’m asking, why is abortion good for your girlfriend, bad for other women? That’s my question. Simple, simple question.”
“She had an abortion. Was that her choice? Yes. Did she have that right? Yes. Was it my choice, Kyle? No,” Holtorf said.
“Why do you seem to deny the choice that you said was best for your girlfriend’s life?” Clark pressed.
“Let me, let me — I don’t, I don’t,” Holtorf stammered.
“You have voted to restrict abortion access,” Clark noted.
“And I have. And I’m a pro-life person,” Holtorf replied. “I think you should try to choose life every time. But there are exceptions. And there are times when you need abortion. Abortion is a medical procedure.”
“Is one of the exceptions when Richard Holtorf is the father?” Clark demanded.
“No, it isn’t that. It’s not about me. Don’t personalize it, make it about me,” Holtorf said..
“You told the story on the house floor, sir,” Clark pointed out.
“Okay? That doesn’t matter. That’s a story. Okay? That’s not that important. What’s more important is the policy,” Holtorf replied.
