Arizona Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake is actively lobbying state lawmakers to overturn a 160-year-old law that bans abortion in almost all cases. Lake is advocating for GOP lawmakers to repeal the law while keeping in place legislation signed in 2022 by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey that restricts abortion to within the first 15 weeks of a pregnancy.
The Arizona Supreme Court recently ruled that the state must adhere to the Civil War-era law, which prohibits all abortions except those necessary to save a woman's life. Lake has reached out to state legislators offering her support to overturn the territorial law and revert back to the 15-week Ducey law.
This move marks a significant shift for Lake, who previously supported the 1864 law and praised it as 'great.' However, following the recent court ruling, Lake called for a common-sense solution from the state's Democratic governor and GOP-controlled Legislature.
Former President Donald Trump, a close ally of Lake, has also shifted his stance on abortion, advocating for states to determine the future of abortion access. However, the Arizona ruling has prompted Trump to address the implications of this position, suggesting that the state law will be 'straightened out.'
Despite Lake's efforts, Arizona Republican lawmakers blocked an attempt to vote on repealing the state's abortion law. Republican strategist Marcus Dell'Artino expressed skepticism about the possibility of reversing the anti-abortion hard-liners' position through lobbying.
The Arizona Supreme Court ruling has intensified the state's debate on abortion access, with significant political implications as Arizona emerges as a key battleground in the upcoming elections for Senate and the White House. Democrats have highlighted the role of the US Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in enabling the Arizona ruling, emphasizing the impact of Trump's influence on the issue.
