Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg gives $1.25M to pro-abortion campaign in Missouri

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has donated $1.25 million to a Missouri campaign opposing a pro-life November ballot measure that would allow Missouri lawmakers to ban most abortions in the state. 

The contribution went to Stop the Ban, the political action committee formed to defeat Missouri’s pro-life Amendment 3, according to the Missouri Independent. The pro-abortion committee has so far raised more than $6.5 million. American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, Planned Parenthood affiliates, and the Fairness Project have also donated to Stop the Ban.

Bloomberg, who does not live in Missouri, previously gave $1 million to Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the pro-abortion campaign that successfully secured passage of the state’s 2024 constitutional amendment enshrining a “right to reproductive freedom,” the Independent reported.

If passed, Amendment 3 would repeal the 2024 voter-approved amendment and allow Missouri to ban abortions except in medical emergencies. The amendment would also require parental consent for minors seeking abortions and ban “gender transition” surgeries, cross-sex hormones, and puberty-blocking drugs for minors.

The leading committee supporting the pro-life measure, Her Health, Her Future PAC, has raised just over $1 million, the Independent reported. Missouri Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe supports the group, and First Lady Claudia Kehoe serves as its treasurer. 

Missouri Right to Life PAC, which is also working to pass the amendment, has spent roughly $230,000 so far on yard signs, speaking engagements, and “Make Missouri Pro-Life Again” brochures. 

According to the Independent, spending by both sides is expected to increase ahead of the November election. During the 2024 campaign, pro-abortion groups raised more than $31.5 million, while pro-life groups raised about $5 million. That measure narrowly passed, with about 52% of Missourians voting in favor of the pro-abortion amendment. 

Missouri is one of four states where abortion will be on the ballot in November. Idaho, Nevada, and Virginia voters will consider pro-abortion measures that would establish or expand legal protections for abortion. 

>> Idaho abortion measure to appear on ballot in November, pro-lifers warn <<