Connecticut Republican Andrew Roraback may be considered “mixed choice” by groups such as NARAL Pro-Choice America, but the congressional candidate argues that if elected, he intends to support keeping reproductive decisions where they belong–between a doctor and a patient.

Roraback was recently designated “mixed choice” due to his statement that although he supports a woman’s right to choose, he finds abortion “personally repugnant.” The candidate says that it was simply a poor choice of phrasing. “The use of the word ‘repugnant’ was regrettable,” Roraback told the Register Citizen. “It was a poor choice of words. It’s obviously a difficult subject and personally, I have great difficulty with the subject. It was not my intent to be inflammatory.”

However, he claims that he has always been a supporter of women’s reproductive rights, and heading to Washington wouldn’t change that. “I think my party needs to welcome people who support a woman’s right to choose with open arms,” he told the Hartford Courant in an interview. “I think it’s disingenuous to suggest that I will fall prey to party pressure when I have an 18-year record of doing just the opposite. I won’t be afraid to buck my party when I think they’re wrong.”

He does support repeal of the Affordable Care Act, which Roraback lists as one of his top priorities should he be elected to Congress. According to Roraback, it should be replaced with essentially the same system as the Affordable Care Act already entails, but should be a state-based health care system instead.

Roraback’s rival, Democrat Elizabeth Esty, is also a supporter of women’s reproductive rights, but does not support repealing health care reform. Both candidates are vying for an open seat in a district that traditionally leans Democrat.