Arizona U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake on Tuesday declared her opposition to the Arizona Supreme Court’s ruling that maintains a 19th century abortion law.
Lake confirmed she is opposed to the Tuesday decision by the Arizona Supreme Court to uphold the 1864 abortion law that predates Arizona’s statehood. The ruling effectively bans elective abortions in the state, limiting them to extreme instances when the life of a mother is threatened by the pregnancy.
“I wholeheartedly agree with President Trump,” Lake stated, referencing former President Donald Trump’s recent confirmation of his stance that abortion laws should be left for individual states to decide. Lake stated her position that such laws are “very personal” and “should be determined by each individual state and her people.”
The Republican declared, “I oppose today’s ruling, and I am calling on Katie Hobbs and the State Legislature to come up with an immediate common sense solution that Arizonans can support.”
My statement regarding today’s Arizona Supreme Court Abortion Ruling⤵️ pic.twitter.com/bNAjXd80TN
— Kari Lake (@KariLake) April 9, 2024
Lake then acknowledged the Arizona Right to Abortion initiative, which would enshrine the fundamental right to abortion in the Arizona Constitution but limit abortions after the point of viability, when an unborn child would survive outside the womb without extreme medical intervention.
“Ultimately, Arizona voters will make the decision on the ballot come November,” stated Lake.
The candidate then promised, if elected to the U.S. Senate, she will oppose both federal abortion funding and federal abortion bans.
Lake indicated she will back other pro-life legislation, including creating financial incentives for parents and streamlining the adoption process. She also said she would promote policies to strengthen “the economy so that mothers can AFFORD a baby.”
She also stated her intention to protect in vitro fertilization (IVF) and paid family leave, and said she would work to expand investments in childcare.
“I am not going to D.C. to legislate an issue that has been returned to the states,” Lake declared.
She said, “I am going to D.C. to secure our border, strengthen our families and help President Trump Make America Great Again.”
Representative Ruben Gallego (D-AZ-03) similarly opposed the legal decision in a fundraising email sent on Tuesday, but in contrast pledged to codify Roe v. Wade into federal law if elected to the U.S. Senate.
“If I make it to the Senate I will do everything I can to pass legislation that will make the protections provided by Roe v. Wade the law of the land — including reforming the filibuster,” wrote Gallego.
He echoed the remarks in a video posted to the social media platform X, where he claimed the ruling means women “have no control over their bodies.”
He declared, “We’re not done. The State Supreme Court has had their say, we will have our say. We will fight, and we’re going to fight all the way until November to get our abortion rights back for our women in Arizona.”
Lake likely remains poised to secure the Arizona Republican Party’s nomination. Her primary opponent, Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, did not immediately respond to a comment request about the Arizona Supreme Court ruling.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and the Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Kari Lake” by Gage Skidmore. CC BY-SA 2.0. Background Photo “Arizona Supreme Court” by davidpinter. CC BY 3.0.
