Sen. Ron Johnson renews call for Wisconsin abortion vote

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson on Monday renewed his call for a statewide vote in Wisconsin on abortion rights, saying he thought most voters would support a ban after 12 weeks of pregnancy. Johnson declined to say how he would vote, however.

Johnson won reelection to a third term in November, one of only two Republicans to win statewide in Wisconsin since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion. Johnson said Monday at the Milwaukee Press Club that abortion has been an “important factor” in Democrats' recent wins.

During the campaign, after the Supreme Court's ruling, Johnson called for a statewide referendum on abortion. He wanted the question framed as: “At what point does society have the responsibility to protect the life of an unborn child?” The options would range from the moment of conception to never.

Wisconsin law does not allow for citizens to place such a question on the ballot. The Republican-controlled Legislature can only put forward amendments to the state constitution for a vote, not law changes. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers asked the Legislature to amend the constitution to allow for citizens to bring forth ballot questions to change state law, but Republicans rejected it.

When asked on Monday by press club panelist and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Bill Glauber how he would vote on the abortion question, Johnson responded, “It’s all a secret ballot, Bill.”

“I'm not trying to dodge a question here,” Johnson continued. “I'm trying to provide leadership in terms of how we can finally put this very divisive, profound moral issue behind us as a society. Let the people decide. I don't want to impose my view on anybody else.”

Johnson said if voters were provided images with “what a...