Arizona Democratic Reaction to the Supreme Court Ruling Overturning Roe v Wade

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Arizona Democrats and Democratic Leaning Groups reacted quickly and en masse to the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v Wade.

Raquel Teran, the Chairperson of the Arizona Democratic Party, issued a statement which relayed:

“This horrific news will not slow or lessen our fight for families. Right now Arizonans are going through periods of anger, sadness, and frustration, in response to this brutal attack on our freedoms. Ultimately, those emotions are fueling our continued fight for our most basic rights. This decision is the result of the GOP’s dangerous, decades-long crusade to rip away reproductive rights, insert politicians into personal health care decisions, and ultimately, ban abortion entirely, even in cases of rape and incest. Now, they’re celebrating the dangerous and disastrous consequences it will have on millions of American families — and blatantly disregarding the majority of Arizona voters who support access to abortion. But Arizonans can trust that as Democrats, we are united on this issue. With Democrats in office, at all levels of government, these rights will be protected. Likewise, Democrats and our pro-choice allies will continue this fight in courtrooms across our state and nation. We know voters across the political spectrum are with us on this issue, and we are confident they will make their voices heard at the voting booth come November.”

Arizona Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Co Chair and State Representative Jennifer Longdon wrote:

“This news will not bring our movement to a standstill. The state legislature is where access to reproductive healthcare is being decided. We’ve seen abortion bans just this year in Arizona and we won’t stop until we elect pro-choice candidates to protect our rights in our state. The state legislature is where we’ll stop these attacks, where we’ll codify the right to abortion into law.”

 

Arizona Secretary of State and Gubernatorial Candidate Katie Hobbs posted:

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman posted:

Senator Kyrsten Sinema posted.

Senator Mark Kelly

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego posted.

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero posted.

House Representative Ann Kirkpatrick posted.

House Representative Ruben Gallego posted.

House Representative Raul Grijalva posted.

House Representative Tom O’Halleran posted.

House Representative Greg Stanton posted.

State Representative and Senate Candidate Mitzi Epstein posted:

Arizona Legislative District 18 State Representative Jennifer Jermaine wrote:

“Roe v. Wade is about medical privacy. SCOTUS just ruled that you (and yes, everyone) no longer have the right to your medical privacy and can no longer make your own private medical decisions about anything. This is a dark day in American history.”

State Representative Melody Hernandez relayed:

“I had an abortion. I know what that choice and experience is like and let me be very clear—it’s healthcare. An abortion is medical care. I have seen the attacks on our rights day after day at the state legislature and across this country. It’s an attack on reproductive rights but also on the basic right of comprehensive and unbiased medical care. It’s heartbreaking and infuriating that people will now have to face an impossible path forward without the fundamental right to choose what’s best for them and their families.”

The Arizona House Democrats, led by Reginald Bolding issued a statement which read:

“While today’s decision is disheartening, it is not surprising. We have been fighting against dangerous right-wing ideology for decades, and we will continue to do so to ensure every person has freedom and control over their own bodies and livelihoods. Bodily autonomy has been the precedent and a fundamental right for 50 years. By overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court has now officially given politicians permission to control what a person does with their own body– that doesn’t sound like freedom to me. The right to a legal abortion is not gone, but this dangerous and chilling decision could have devastating consequences for the people of Arizona and across the entire country. The court’s decision goes directly against the will of the American people, the vast majority of whom support access to legal abortion. Let’s be clear about what this is really about– the anti-choice, anti-freedom movement doing whatever it takes to advance their ideological agenda of power and control regardless of the damage they leave in their wake.”

State Senator and educator Christine Marsh relayed:

“Potentially effective as soon as today, abortion is now illegal in Arizona due to a territorial era “trigger law.” Embedded in this ban are penalties of 2-5 years in jail for accessing abortion or helping someone else access an abortion.

People from across Arizona have stories about why banning abortion is so dangerous. For me, it was a girl in 5th grade I met while fostering who was pregnant as a result of incest. Under Arizona’s abortion ban, she would have no legal way out of giving birth as a child.

As a parent, this story is heartbreaking. As a legislator, it is a call to action to defend our rights.

I would hope that a majority of our legislators would keep stories like those in mind when setting policy on access to reproductive healthcare. Unfortunately, the current legislative majority in our state is not interested in listening to those they impact the most and restricting reproductive health care. They have moved in the opposite direction. My opponent sponsored, and Governor Ducey signed, a Mississippi-style abortion ban in our state just this session.

This is a dark moment for our state and nation. I need you in this fight against the extreme agenda we have seen this session and against Arizona’s pre-Roe abortion ban.”

State Representative and Congressional Candidate Daniel Hernandez wrote:

“The Supreme Court just rolled back a precedent set decades ago – putting countless in danger. This news is deeply disturbing and will hurt women across the country – disproportionately affecting low income women and women of color. Plainly put, I am outraged. When I worked for Planned Parenthood, I saw firsthand how crucial reproductive healthcare is to so many vulnerable communities. We cannot let this decision stand.”

Former State Senator and current Congressional Candidate Kirsten Engel stated:

“The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. The writing was on the wall – but that doesn’t make the news any less devastating. Republicans have been attempting to roll back the right to abortion care for decades, regardless if that means denying people the freedoms and futures they deserve. That’s why I’m proud to stand with local pro-choice leaders and organizations like Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, in the fight to keep reproductive health care, safe and legal. No one should have their most personal medical decisions controlled by politicians, neighbors, complete strangers, or anyone else. Abortion is healthcare, and healthcare is a human right. I am unapologetically pro-choice, and as the only woman in this Congressional race, I want to be clear: Abortion should remain safe and legal.”

Congressional Candidate Jevin Hodge offered:

“The Supreme Court has just reversed Roe v. Wade, and let me be frank: this decision will endanger the lives of people across the country. The overturning of Roe v. Wade will have an immediate effect here in Arizona, where our Republican governor and Legislature have passed a host of laws restricting abortion. The latest, approved just last month, bans most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

This new law provides no exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest, but it is less drastic than a law still on our books from Arizona’s territorial days. That 1800s law calls for mandatory prison time for abortion providers who perform the procedure at any point in a pregnancy.

This decision will cost people their lives and deny 1.5 million Arizonans their right to life-saving healthcare.

However, I promise to always stand with the people of Arizona. In Congress, I plan on fighting to codify Roe v. Wade and protect healthcare access for all. We can’t let corrupt politicians get away with unjustly removing the human rights of millions of people.”

Arizona Secretary of State Candidate Adrian Fontes posted:

Arizona Attorney General Candidate Kris Mayes posted:

Maricopa County Attorney Candidate Julie Gunnigle posted:

State Senate Candidate Jeanne Canteen posted:

https://twitter.com/JC4AZ/status/1540362605016977408

State Representative candidate Nancy Gutierrez wrote:

“I am very disappointed and angry about the decision from the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v Wade. This puts our country back fifty years and strips the rights of all people who want an abortion. We know that this will not stop abortion, but it will make it harder for people to aquire safe and affordable abortion care. This will disproportionately affect the most underserved communities. We know that most Americans believe in a person’s right to choose. I will continue the fight to stand up for our right to abortion care. My daughters and students should not have fewer rights than I’ve had my entire life. This decision has nothing to do with life. It is all about control over our bodies. This is unacceptable, and we will not stand for it. Please join me and others as we demand that our voices be heard.”

State Representative candidate Stacey Travers offered:

“In Justice Bryer’s dissent he writes, “Whatever the exact scope of the coming laws, one result of today’s decision is certain: the curtailment of women’s rights, and of their status as free and equal citizens” This decision will effect equal protection under the law for generations to come.

As a veteran, I fought for our freedoms. As a parent, I fight for my children. As a legislator, I will fight for everyone’s right to safe and legal healthcare, the freedom to make one’s own family planning decisions and the future of reproductive justice for all.”

Leaders like Representative Jermaine, Senator Marsh, Attorney General Candidate Mayes, and Congressman Stanton are right to point out that this is a dark day for human rights in United States History.

It will be up to voters in 137 days to bring back the light for everyone to enjoy liberty and equality again.