Arizona abortion ban: 6 key Democrat responses to state Supreme Court's contentious ruling

6 prominent Democrats who have spoken out against Arizona's near-total abortion ban

Democrats have seized on Tuesday’s Arizona Supreme Court ruling that allows the implementation of a law from 1864 that effectively prohibits abortion in the Grand Canyon State. The Democrats have attributed responsibility for the ruling to former President Donald Trump and the Republicans, and are eager to leverage this issue, which could become a significant factor in the 2024 presidential race. The ruling makes it illegal to perform or aid someone in obtaining an abortion, punishable by two to five years in prison. Doctors or others who perform abortions can now be prosecuted at any time, excluding cases where the mother's life is in danger, without any exceptions for rape or incest. This will make Arizona the state with the most restrictive abortion laws among the top battleground states heading into the November elections. The decision puts the GOP in a tough position, as abortion is now a significant issue once again on the ballot. Here are some comments by prominent Democrats who weighed in on the issue.

1. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, a Democrat, said, “The girls today and the young women do not have the rights that we once did because of Donald Trump,” adding, “Donald Trump is dangerous and reckless.” Following Tuesday's ruling, she posted on X, "Today sends a clear message: to restore Roe and protect abortion rights once and for all, we must reelect @JoeBiden & @KamalaHarris. Under Trump, the Republican Party has pushed - and will continue pushing - for a cruel national abortion ban." Mayor Gallego continued, "That’s why, from now until November, we will work together to ensure Donald Trump and those threatening women’s reproductive freedoms are resoundingly defeated."

2. Attorney General Kris Mayes

Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes, who narrowly won the 2022 election by only 280 votes, believes that her success was largely due to the public's backlash against the Dobbs decision. She predicted that Tuesday's ruling will once again rally support from independents and Republicans who believe in a woman's right to choose, encouraging them to vote for Democratic candidates. “If past is prologue, this is going to have a deep and lasting impact on politics in Arizona,” Mayes remarked. Last year, Arizona's Democratic Governor, Katie Hobbs, granted Mayes the authority to enforce abortion laws. She in turn stated that she will not enforce any prohibitions on the procedure, although such decisions could face legal challenges.

3. President Joe Biden

Biden said the Arizona Supreme Court ruling was “a result of the extreme agenda of Republican elected officials who are committed to ripping away women’s freedom.” Describing it as a "cruel ban," Biden claimed, "Millions of Arizonans will soon live under an even more extreme and dangerous abortion ban, which fails to protect women even when their health is at risk or in tragic cases of rape or incest." 

4. Vice President Kamala Harris

The White House has announced that Vice President Kamala Harris will be travelling to Arizona later this week to discuss abortion rights. This announcement comes as a response to the ruling that recently overturned the 15-week ban that the state had enacted in 2022 in response to the Dobbs ruling. In light of this development, VP Harris posted a video on X, saying, "Today, the Arizona Supreme Court issued a ruling that creates a near total abortion ban in the state of Arizona. A ban with no exceptions for rape and incest. A ban that will apply to women before they even know they are pregnant. And threatens prison time for nurses and doctors. And all of this by reviving a law that was passed in the 1800s. Before women could vote, and before Arizona was even a state. Understand, to stop bans like this, we need a United States Congress that will restore the protections of Roe v Wade. And when they do, President Joe Biden will sign it into law. And let's always remember, it does not have to be this way."

5. Sen Mark Kelly

Following Tuesday's ruling, Sen Mark Kelly (D-Ariz) briefed Senate Democrats during their weekly luncheon before appearing at the press conference with the Democratic leaders to criticize the decision, highlighting the fact that the 1864 law came into existence 48 years before Arizona became a state. Senator Kelly said, "This law may have been written 160 years ago, but it's only being reinstated now because of politicians who worked to overturn Roe v Wade." Kelly also mentioned that the court's ruling on Tuesday made 22 references to the Dobbs judgment, claiming, “This is devastating for women in Arizona.” 

6. Sen Chris Van Hollen

Sen Chris Van Hollen (D-Md), who spearheaded the Senate Democratic campaign arm in 2018, stated, “It just goes to show what happens when you put extremists in charge. People who want to take away women’s reproductive freedom — people should understand they mean what they say.” The Maryland Democrat continued, "I think we'll see the same thing (as in 2022)," alluding to the spike in voting turnout following the Dobbs ruling. “Politically, it will be a huge hit to Republicans,” Van Hollen added.