After the Kansas Third District resoundingly rejected an anti-abortion constitutional amendment, Amanda Adkins, who “100 percent” voted for it, is being called out for suddenly trying to hide her extreme record on abortion. 

As reported in outlets across the country this week, Adkins is a self-proclaimed “pro-life advocate” dedicated to “supporting life from conception until natural death” who championed a plan that would ban abortion with no exception for rape or incest. She is supported by extremist anti-choice groups who heralded her primary win as a “pro-life victory.” 

Adkins’ abrupt shift is in line with anti-abortion politicians across the country who now realize that their unpopular positions will be an important factor when voters take to the polls in November:

CNN: Some Republicans try to shift positions on abortion as general election approaches

“Amanda Adkins, the Republican candidate running against Rep. Sharice Davids in Kansas’ competitive 3rd Congressional District, wrote in an op-ed earlier this month saying she did not ‘support a federal ban on abortion, nor do I support any other federal policymaking related to contraception or fertility.’ But while Adkins was chairwoman of the Kansas Republican Party, the organization supported ‘a Human Life Amendment to the U. S. Constitution,’ as well as ‘legislation to make clear the Fourteenth Amendment’s protection applies to unborn children.’

Adkins campaign did not respond to a request for comment.”

Salon: What abortion ban? GOP candidates abruptly ditch long-held positions in post-Roe scramble

“Others, like Kansas Republican congressional candidate Amanda Adkins, have gone to extra lengths to present themselves as newly-converted moderates on abortion rights. Adkins published an op-ed in the Kansas City Star saying she did not ‘support a federal ban on abortion’ and believes ‘it’s not Congress’ place to impose a national abortion policy on Kansans.’ She did not, however, mention her past record as chairwoman of the Kansas Republican Party when the state organization officially supported ‘a Human Life Amendment to the U.S. Constitution,’ and ‘legislation to make clear the Fourteenth Amendment’s protection applies to unborn children.’” 

Kansas Reflector: GOP candidate Amanda Adkins’ congressional campaign not anchored in alleged voter fraud

“Adkins, who described herself as ‘very pro-life,’ said the U.S. Supreme Court decision to reverse a 50-year precedent in Roe vs. Wade left states to set boundaries on abortion rights. 

[…]

On Thursday, Adkins said in a statement she didn’t support a federal ban on abortion nor ‘do I support any other federal policymaking related to contraception or fertility.’ She said she was committed to ‘protecting life at every stage’ as a Catholic, Republican and mother.

[…]

Davids responded to claiming Adkins spent years working to chip away at a woman’s right to choose while aligned with Brownback, as chair of the Kansas GOP and when considering the constitutional amendment on abortion in August.

‘My position is clear: I believe people have a right to make their own health care decisions, not the government, and I have stood up against extreme politicians who want to take away that right,’ Davids said. ‘Those are the facts, and that is the choice that voters face this November.’”