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First GOP Debate: Ron DeSantis affirms he’s ‘on the side of life’ as he talks about implementing abortion ban federally

Ron DeSantis also criticized Democrats for their 'extremism' and gave an anecdote of a woman he knows who survived multiple abortion attempts

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN: In the first Republican debate organized by Fox News, candidates have not left a single stone unturned as they brought every popular GOP issue onto the stage. 

A major point of discussion was abortion laws, a topic Republicans consider central to the reformation of traditional American family values and structure. 

Ron DeSantis is perhaps the most repeatedly associated with anti-abortion laws and he did not miss out on the opportunity to remind the Republican voters that he would continue to "support life."

Ron DeSantis speaks up against making abortion legal

It is no secret that DeSantis has consistently been against legalizing abortion and he made it clearer during tonight's GOP debate. 

"You gotta do what you think is right," the Florida Governor stated, "I believe in a culture of life."

He then went on to discuss the Heartbeat bill that was signed into law earlier this year for the state of Florida that bans abortion past the six-week mark.

"I was proud to sign the Heartbeat bill," he added, "One of the most impactful moments of my life was when I heard the heartbeat of my oldest daughter in my wife's womb and saw the sonograms of all three of my kids."  

Ron DeSantis claims Democrats want abortion 'up till birth'

The leading GOP candidate then came in to attack the Democrats for wanting abortion to be legalized, saying they want one "all the way up till birth." He added a personal anecdote to his statements as well. 

"I know a woman in Florida named Penny," DeSantis started, continuing, "She survived multiple abortion attempts. She was left discarded in a pan. Fortunately, her grandmother saved her and brought her to a different hospital." 

"We are better than what the Democrats are selling," he continued, "We are not gonna allow abortion all the way up till birth and we will hold them accountable for their extremism." 

Moderator Bret Baier then asked the Florida Governor, "Just to be clear governor: Would you sign a six-week ban federally?"

"I'm gonna stay in on the side of life," DeSantis responded. Explaining that he realizes that some states will do this differently, he added, "I will support the cause of life as Governor and as President."