U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris pointed fingers at Republican candidate Donald Trump for Arizona’s recent loss of abortion rights, following a court decision upholding a century-old ban on the procedure.
The conservative-leaning Arizona Supreme Court‘s ruling has reverberated across the state, potentially influencing the upcoming presidential election and Senate control.
Speaking before a diverse audience in Tucson, including reproductive health patients and providers, Harris emphasized Trump’s role in the matter.
She warned of even harsher restrictions under a hypothetical second Trump term, framing the issue as pivotal for the future of women’s rights.
Trump, currently vying for the presidency against Joe Biden, distanced himself from the Arizona ruling, claiming it exceeded reasonable limits. Despite his stance, Trump had previously supported measures allowing states to curtail abortion rights.
With Arizona’s narrow margin of victory for Biden in 2020, Democrats see opposition to reproductive rights restrictions as a potential pathway to secure votes in the state.
Biden has tasked Harris with spearheading the administration’s response to the 2022 Supreme Court decision on abortion rights, aiming to rally core liberal voters.
Democratic Representative Ruben Gallego, running for a Senate seat in Arizona, criticized his Republican opponent Kari Lake for previously supporting the abortion ban.
Gallego joined Harris in addressing the issue, emphasizing the need to prevent regression on women’s rights.
The Biden campaign has launched advertisements in Arizona highlighting personal stories affected by abortion restrictions, underscoring Trump’s role in the matter.
Despite Biden’s campaign promises to legalize abortion, Democrats faced challenges passing such legislation during their slim majority in Congress from 2021 to 2023.
