Cortez Masto ad goes after Heck on abortion stance

By Megan Messerly

Published Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016 | 11:14 a.m.

Updated Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016 | 12:44 p.m.

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Catherine Cortez Masto is going after Republican opponent Rep. Joe Heck over his stance on abortion in a television ad released today.

The ad highlights how Heck voted with House Republicans to attempt to defund Planned Parenthood. It also notes that Republican lawmakers, including Heck, threatened to shut down the federal government over the Planned Parenthood fight.

Heck has been consistently pro-life, believing that no taxpayer funds should be used for abortions except in the case of rape, incest, or if the mother’s life is in danger.

Heck spokesman Brian Baluta responded to the ad, saying Cortez Masto was putting “politics and campaign contributions ahead of women’s health.”

“Dr. Heck served on the front lines of our health care system and understands moving federal funding to Community Health Centers will improve health care for women across Nevada,” Baluta said in a statement.

Heck’s campaign also noted that Heck has never said he supports overturning the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision on abortion, though the ad claims he does. His campaign said that, as a physician who is pro-life, Heck has “concerns about the upheaval of the legal precedent.”

Heck has fielded attacks that he is “anti-women” in several previous races, including his state Senate and congressional races.

Cortez Masto, meanwhile, is running with the backing of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

Cortez Masto, a former state attorney general, and Heck are locked in a tight race to replace U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, who is retiring at the end of his term.