Arizona’s 1864 abortion ban is set to be repealed, but it remains a key issue on the campaign trail for Democrats in the battleground state. Democrats view anger over the potential fall of Roe v. Wade as a political advantage in Arizona, prompting them to focus on reproductive rights in their campaigns. This has caused division among Republican leaders who must navigate the views of their base while also appealing to voters. The Arizona Democratic Party vows to vote out extremist Republicans who stand opposed to reproductive rights.
Despite the repeal of the abortion ban, Democrats in Arizona are determined to defeat former President Donald Trump and secure legislative majorities. Their goal is to pass a ballot measure that would guarantee reproductive rights in the state constitution. State Senator Anna Hernandez attributes the presence of the Civil War-era law to Trump and Arizona Republican lawmakers who follow his lead. The continuing uncertainty surrounding abortion laws could keep the issue in the news leading up to the November election.
The Arizona Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of allowing prosecutors to enforce one of the country’s strictest abortion bans, which provides no exceptions for rape or incest. Under pressure, several Republicans in the state Senate voted to repeal the law, joining all Democrats in the decision. Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs has pledged to sign the repeal. Former President Trump, who has appointed Supreme Court justices, has supported overturning Roe v. Wade but opposed the strict Arizona abortion ban, urging state lawmakers to address the issue swiftly.
Abortion has become a central issue in various races in Arizona, including Senate and House contests, as well as the battle for control of the state Legislature. Republican candidate Kari Lake, who previously supported the anti-abortion law, has shifted her stance to align with voter sentiment. Nonetheless, she continues to face criticism from anti-abortion supporters while maintaining her opposition to a nationwide abortion ban. The issue of abortion remains divisive, with a majority of Arizona voters supporting legal abortion in most or all cases.
The 2022 midterm elections highlighted the importance of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade as a factor in voter behavior. Sixty-one percent of Arizona voters believe abortion should be legal in most or all cases, with only a small percentage advocating for its illegality. The repeal of the near-total abortion ban will leave a 15-week ban in place, further emphasizing the ongoing debate surrounding reproductive rights in the state. As the campaign season heats up, candidates will continue to grapple with the abortion issue and its implications for their electoral prospects.
