WASHINGTON -- Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio hit Gov. John Kasich on Wednesday with a five-figure ad buy that accuses the Republican presidential contender of supporting a plan to restrict access to women's health care.
The group purchased the ads one day after Kasich secured an unexpected second-place finish in Tuesday's New Hampshire Republican presidential primary. The organization fears that Kasich intends to sign a bill that would prohibit state and certain federal funds from going to facilities that perform and promote "nontherapeutic abortions." This exempts abortions performed in cases of rape, incest and life endangerment.
Joe Andrews, a Kasich spokesman, said Wednesday that the governor plans to sign the bill when he receives it.
One video ad claims that Kasich wants to defund Planned Parenthood, cut programs that prevent infant mortality, reduce funding for cancer screenings and end domestic violence prevention initiatives. The video will run on Facebook and major Ohio news sites, the organization said.
"The secret is out: John Kasich is terrible for women’s health," said Dawn Laguens, vice president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, in a statement. "He knows that his attacks on women’s health are unpopular -- that's why he never talks about them on the campaign trail."
Kasich has presented himself as a sensible alternative to the latest front-runner of the Republican pack, reality TV star Donald Trump. But the Ohio governor has long come under fire by women's health advocates for his extreme views on reproductive care.
He has signed laws that ban most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy and require women to obtain an ultrasound prior to an abortion, according to Politico. He approved a budget in 2013 that cut funding for Planned Parenthood, and allowed public funding for rape crisis clinics to be blocked if facilities told victims about abortion options, Reuters reported. The number of abortion providers in Ohio has also plummeted while he's been in office.
"Let his dangerous actions in Ohio be a warning to the American people -- we can’t afford this wrongheaded agenda in the White House," Laguens added.
"To paint a different picture of his record on prioritizing the health and well-being of women in our state is irresponsible and unfortunate," he added.
In response to the Planned Parenthood ad campaign, Kasich's spokesman said, "Those in Ohio know that Governor Kasich has been a strong advocate for women’s health issues." He noted the governor has helped 260,000 women gain health care coverage, and has pledged a 3 to 1 state match for a fund for breast and cervical cancer.
This post has been updated with comments from a Kasich spokesman.
Declared 2016 Presidential Candidates
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) -- Announced March 23, 2015(01 of22)
Open Image ModalSen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) -- Announced April 7, 2015(02 of22)
Open Image ModalFormer Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton -- Announced April 12, 2015(03 of22)
Open Image Modal (credit:Andrew Burton via Getty Images)
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) -- Announced April 13, 2015(04 of22)
Open Image ModalSen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) -- Announced April 30, 2015(05 of22)
Open Image Modal (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ben Carson -- Announced May 4, 2015(06 of22)
Open Image ModalCarly Fiorina -- Announced May 4, 2015(07 of22)
Open Image ModalFormer Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) -- Announced May 5, 2015(08 of22)
Open Image ModalFormer Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) -- Announced May 27, 2015(09 of22)
Open Image ModalFormer New York Gov. George Pataki (R) -- Announced May 28, 2015(10 of22)
Open Image ModalPataki dropped out of the race on Dec. 29, 2015. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) -- Announced May 30, 2015(11 of22)
Open Image ModalSen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) -- Announced June 1, 2015(12 of22)
Open Image ModalGraham dropped out of the race on Dec. 21, 2015. (credit:Jessica McGowan via Getty Images)
Former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee (D) -- Announced June 3, 2015(13 of22)
Open Image ModalChafee ended his campaign on Oct. 23, 2015. (credit:Win McNamee via Getty Images)
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) -- Announced June 4, 2015(14 of22)
Open Image ModalFormer Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) -- Announced June 15, 2015(15 of22)
Open Image ModalBusiness Mogul Donald Trump (R) -- Announced June 16, 2015(16 of22)
Open Image Modal (credit:Christopher Gregory via Getty Images)
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) -- Announced June 24, 2015(17 of22)
Open Image ModalJindal dropped out of the race on Nov. 17, 2015. (credit:Darren McCollester via Getty Images)
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) -- Announced June 30, 2015(18 of22)
Open Image ModalFormer Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) -- Announced July 2, 2015(19 of22)
Open Image ModalWisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) -- Announced July 13, 2015(20 of22)
Open Image ModalFormer Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore (R) -- Declared July 29, 2015(21 of22)
Open Image ModalFormer New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson (L) -- Announced Jan. 6, 2016(22 of22)
Open Image ModalJohnson will seek the Libertarian Party's nomination. (credit:Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
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