A local reproductive rights advocate joined a group of female lawmakers and women's rights advocates to speak out against comments made by Ohio-based U.S. Senate candidate, JD Vance.

Bek Norman of Warren joined other Ohio women to criticize Vance on his comments made during an interview in September of 2021 in which he allegedly states that women should remain in unhappy marriages to protect their children, even if they are violent.

The comments were brought to light by online news organization, Vice where Vance can be heard saying the following:

"This is one of the great tricks that I think the sexual revolution pulled on the American populace, which is the idea that like, 'well, ok, these marriages were fundamentally, you know, they were maybe even violent, but certainly they were unhappy. And so getting rid of them and making it easier for people to shift spouses like they change their underwear, that's going to make people happier in the long term."

Vance has since doubled down on these comments when he said "the point I made was a very simple point and I completely stand by it."

Female lawmakers and advocates in Ohio say it's "inexcusable" that Vance has yet to apologize for these comments or provide more clarification for what he meant by them.

"If [Vance] wants to act like our U.S. Senator, then I encourage our fellow legislators to to encourage him to be more clear about his statements, and if he's doubling down on it, then I encourage everybody to condemn those statements because they're very inappropriate," said Democratic State Senator, Tina Maharath. 

JD Vance's campaign spokesperson responded to 21 News's request for comment with the following statement:

"That the Democrats lie is no surprise. That they lie about such a serious subject, especially when JD himself was a victim of abuse is gross."

And a statement from the Ohio Republican Party reading:

"As a child, JD was a victim of abuse and it’s disgusting for Vice News and the [Ohio Democratic Party] to twist his words and purposefully spread disinformation."

However, Norman says Vance has no right to form opinions that could be offensive to female victims of domestic violence.

"I have known women in violent marriages [and] in abusive marriages who felt trapped and helpless, and I'll tell you what: JD Vance has no clue what's right for those women who we all know," Norman said.

Vance will be running against Valley Congressman Tim Ryan in the race to fill U.S. Senator, Rob Portman's seat this Novemeber.