Idaho legislator sparks fury after comparing women to COWS during female healthcare discussion

An Idaho legislator has sparked outrage on social media after comparing women to cows during a conversation about female healthcare.

Republican Rep. Jack Nelsen, 67, was at the House Agricultural Affairs Committee’s first meeting of the legislative session this week when he decided to offer up ‘definite opinions’ about women’s health.

‘I’m a lifelong dairy farmer, retired, still own part of the dairy, grew up on the farm. I’ve milked a few cows, but spent most of my time walking behind lines of cows,’ the newly elected official said.

‘So if you want some ideas on repro (reproduction) and the women’s health thing, I have some definite opinions,’ he added with a laugh.

Nelsen’s remarks were slammed on social media and the ’embarrassed’ legislator was forced to issue an apology.

‘The way I phrased my statement about women and reproductive rights yesterday completely missed the mark,’ he told the Idaho Statesman.

‘I am deeply sorry. I recognize the mistake and commit to doing better in the future.’

FEMAIL has contacted Nelson for further comment on the issue. 

The Idaho Democratic Party tweeted the video on Thursday, saying: ‘Let us be clear: politicians like Jack Nelsen have no business mandating our reproductive health care decisions. Period.’

‘Nice to know that women’s health is just a “thing” to him,’ one person said in response to the video.

Another quipped: ‘Likewise, I’ve seen bulls being castrated, so any time Rep. Nelson would like an opinion on the state of his prostate, I’d be happy to give him some ideas on his “health thing.”‘

‘I used to own a Mr Potato Head which clearly makes me an expert on male reproduction and men’s health “thing,”‘ someone else said.

Nelson (far left) was at the House Agricultural Affairs Committee’s first meeting of the legislative session this week

He was savaged on social media after the Idaho Democratic Party tweeted the video

One social media user asked people to show a bit of mercy: ‘Please take into account his heartfelt apology today’

However one social media user asked people to show a bit of mercy: ‘Please take into account his heartfelt apology today.’ 

Meanwhile the video also went viral on Reddit, with more than 1,600 upvotes and hundreds of comments.

‘Did he just compare women to cows….what the f***?’ one person said.

‘Yeah, he’s walked behind cows, apparently all you need to know to be an expert on women’s reproductive rights. C’mon Idaho, this is your contribution?’ another person added.

‘He didn’t merely “compare women to cows.” He admitted his position on human reproductive rights is based on his experience rearing cattle and milking cows,’ someone else said.

‘At some point, it’s up to the other people in the room to say, “I’m sorry to cut you off, but what the f***? Explain yourself.”‘

‘Women and cows… basically the same thing from a moral and policy perspective,’ someone else wrote. 

Meanwhile the video also went viral on Reddit, with more than 1,600 upvotes and hundreds of comments

A fourth person said: ‘He was so pleased with himself. You can tell he has been waiting to deliver that line for awhile. I personally loved the fact that nobody laughed at his awkward misogyny.’

‘Does he not realize that the mammary glands and the uterus are extremely different organs?’ another Redditor wrote. 

‘I spent summers on my uncle’s ranch in Texas. I can milk a cow and turn a calf in breech. I wouldn’t even dream of comparing that to the years of medical school someone goes through to become an OBGYN.’

Nelson has been a ‘partner in dairy and farming operation in Jerome for 45 years,’ according to his Idaho State Legislature bio.

Previously he was also a music instructor and teacher for more than 20 years.

His hobbies include fly fishing, skiing and time with his family and children.

He has been married to Emily for 42 years and his children include ‘Chris and partner Toni – three girls; Greg and partner Leah; Matt and wife Velia – two girls.’