Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Mazie Hirono issued this statement about recent comments made by Indiana Senate Republican nominee Richard Murdock:

“The remarks by Senate Republican nominee Richard Mourdock of Indiana that ‘cases of pregnancy due to rape are God’s will’ are shocking and offensive. These remarks bring to light attitudes toward women’s health and economic rights that are increasingly common in today’s Republican Party.

“Even the head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), who is in charge of efforts to win a Republican majority in the U.S. Senate and recruited Linda Lingle to run for Senate, defended Mourdock’s comments. It is clear that if the Republicans are successful in winning a Republican majority in the U.S. Senate, they could not be trusted to stand up for the rights of women. That is what is at stake in this year’s election.”