North Carolina campaign ad features vaginal probe

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North Carolina state Senate candidate Deb Butler has released a new ad that slams Republican incumbent Thom Goolsby for supporting anti-abortion legislation.

“He wouldn’t dare show you this, but this is Thom Goolsby’s contribution to women’s health,” Butler says in the ad, holding a trans-vaginal ultrasound wand. “A medically unnecessary and invasive procedure that is now required by state law. He promised us his first priority would be jobs, but instead he’s following us into the doctor’s office.”

Her campaign said it may be the first ever appearance of a trans-vaginal ultrasound wand in a political ad.

The North Carolina legislature passed a bill last year that requires abortion providers to show women an ultrasound and describe the images in detail four hours before terminating a pregnancy. The law also requires doctors to offer women the chance to listen to the heartbeat of the fetus.

North Carolina lawmakers argued the law would protect women from the emotional distress caused by having an abortion by persuading them to give birth.

Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue vetoed the bill, but the Republican-led state legislature voted to override his veto.

The law is currently on hold because it has been challenged in court. The American Civil Liberties Union alleged it violates the rights of health care providers and women seeking abortion care.

Watch the ad below: