Michigan Republican state House candidate Dale Biniecki in an undated campaign photo (Source: Dale Biniecki for State Representative on Facebook)

Republican Michigan state legislature candidate Dale Biniecki has a history of supporting anti-abortion groups and policies, even as he attempts to distance himself from the issue.

Biniecki is one of several Republicans looking to flip the Democratic majority in the Michigan state legislature. The Democrats secured a trifecta at the state level in 2022, prompting a slew of bills to pass addressing issues like clean energy, voting rights, tax credit expansion and abortion rights.

Despite Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signing a bill enshrining abortion rights into law, several Republican lawmakers have made it clear they would pursue avenues to suppress abortion rights again if they can. Biniecki appears to be one of them, as he told the Detroit Free Press in 2022 that he supports criminalizing nearly all abortions. Biniecki also campaigned at a crisis pregnancy center last month with Freedom Caucus member Rep. Jim DeSana (R-Carleton), who has referred to women seeking abortion care as “evil” and “demonic.”

Biniecki’s team did not respond to an email request to comment on if he would also pursue abortion restrictions if elected. Abortion is not mentioned on his campaign website, and he told the Free Press earlier this month that he respects the 2022 vote where Michiganders approved a constitutional right to reproductive freedom.

“If legislation comes up for limits or something, we’d look at that then,” Biniecki said. “But the people spoke two years ago. It’s a moot point right now.”

Biniecki has also received endorsements from anti-abortion groups like Right to Life Michigan and Citizens for Traditional Values.

In 2020, while Biniecki was passing out Donald Trump signs at rallies, he told Monroe News that one of the reasons so many people support the former president is because of his support for the unborn.

Biniecki is a retired farmer and truck driver who is attempting to win Michigan’s District 31 seat for the second cycle in a row. Biniecki will again face incumbent Rep. Reggie Miller (D-Van Buren Township), who beat him by 1,885 votes in 2022.