Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., speaks during a Republican Indiana gubernatorial candidate forum in Carmel, Ind., Jan. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) has a record of anti-abortion stances, but he has indicated support for even harsher restrictions than his state’s current near-total abortion ban in his campaign for the Hoosier State’s governor mansion.

In a candidate survey conducted by Right to Life Indiana, Braun said he would support a law to implement criminal penalties for doctors who perform abortions in Indiana and pharmacists who dispense abortion drugs. Only two states, Texas and Louisiana, currently criminalize abortion to that effect. Braun also answered “YES” to a question asking if he would support “holding county prosecutors accountable” for refusing to enforce Indiana’s abortion ban.

Another question asked the candidate whether abortion should be legal in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother, to which he chose the option “other.” Under current Indiana law, abortion is illegal at any point during pregnancy with exceptions for rape and incest until 12 weeks and detection of a lethal fetal anomaly before 22 weeks.

Braun has served in the U.S. Senate since 2019, where he has been a staunch opponent of reproductive rights and same-sex marriage while being an avid defender of former President Donald Trump. After the 2020 presidential election, Braun spread Trump’s stolen election claims and planned to vote against confirming the legitimate election results until the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. 2021 happened. Despite changing his vote, Braun voted to acquit Trump of inciting an insurrection during his second impeachment trial.

In wake of current Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) reaching his term limit, Braun is the Republican nominee in the gubernatorial race, and he will face Republican-turned-Democrat Jennifer McCormick in November. McCormick is a special education teacher who served as the Superintendent of Public Instruction for four years. She switched parties after breaking with Republicans on education policy during her time as superintendent.