Political analysts suggest that Harris’ clear stance on abortion could be a decisive factor in Arizona, a swing state that could play a critical role in the upcoming election. Recent polling data indicates that a majority of Arizona voters support some form of abortion rights, a trend that Harris’ campaign is likely to capitalize on. By highlighting her commitment to reproductive freedoms, pundits say that Harris aims to galvanize key voter demographics, including women and younger voters, who are increasingly prioritizing this issue.
The presumptive Democratic Party presidential nominee has consistently positioned herself as a staunch defender of reproductive rights, arguing that access to abortion is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of gender equality. In April, Harris went to Tucson after the Arizona Supreme Court upheld the 1800s abortion law.
Harris’ visit to Arizona in June was part of her “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” tour, during which the rally marked the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Harris targeted Arizona’s abortion policy, declaring, “reproductive freedom is on the ballot.”
Arizona, when we fight, we win.
Thank you Francia and @AnnaTovarAZ for joining me as we continue the fight for reproductive freedom. pic.twitter.com/7PSpDOqr0R
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) June 26, 2024
As Harris moves forward in her campaign, “political strategists and pollsters are scrambling to determine whether Vice President Kamala Harris’ potential nomination will win over Arizona swing voters who had soured on President Biden,” Axios reported.
Democratic strategist, Tony Cani, told Axios “that Harris’ likely nomination “totally changes the calculation.”
Harris’ campaign boasted on Monday that in the first 24 hours of her campaign she raised 81 million dollars and the excitement among Arizona Democrats is palpable.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego took to X where she said, “Today, all 91 members of the Arizona Democratic Party’s 2024 Delegation formally pledged their support of VP Kamala Harris’ bid to become the democratic nominee for President.”
Arizona Abortion Access Act
Meanwhile, the Arizona for Abortion Access Coalition (AAAA) is awaiting official word from the Secretary of State Adrian Fontes’ office on whether enough of the more than 800,000 signatures will be accepted in order to place a constitutional amendment guaranteeing Arizonans abortion access on the ballot in November. The group needed only 384,000. Fontes said in early July that his office would have the signatures process by August 01.
The proposed amendment aims to establish a fundamental right to receive abortion care up until fetal viability, typically around 24 weeks (6 months) of pregnancy. Exceptions would allow abortions post-viability if necessary to protect the life or health — both physical and mental — of the pregnant individual.
This initiative comes in response to the 2022 Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and shifted the authority to regulate abortion back to the states.
Opponents like the It Goes Too Far campaign say they will work hard to persuade Arizonans to vote against the measure. According to the campaign’s website, the amendment would “prohibit government entities from restricting abortions, allow non-medical professionals to perform them, and remove existing regulations like parental consent, informed consent, and bans on partial-birth abortions.”
It Goes Too Far claims the proposition would permit abortions “until birth” under “broad and vague exceptions, potentially endanger parental rights, and could lead to taxpayer-funded abortions.” It argues it “opens the door to unrestricted, unregulated abortion on demand” and undermines “commonsense safeguards for women and girls.”
Coconino County agrees “It Goes Too Far!” 79% of all voters want limits on abortion, 69% put that limit at the first trimester or earlier. Thank you FRW for having us at your picnic to learn how to defeat the extreme abortion access initiative. #itgoestoofar #voteNO pic.twitter.com/YvPCYTJCuT
— ItGoesTooFar (@ItGoesTooFar) June 9, 2024
Additionally, It Goes Too Far states the measure “repeals current common-sense regulations in Arizona law,” allowing a broad range of unqualified healthcare professionals, such as “chiropractors, podiatrists, and massage therapists,” to perform abortions. It emphasizes that the amendment would eliminate parental involvement, suggesting that “minor girls could be allowed to obtain an abortion without parental involvement or court order.”
Josh Barnett, the Republican challenger to incumbent State Senator Shawna Bollick (District 2) told The Sun Times the proposed amendment to the state constitution “would allow abortion up until birth and has been passed in every state where it has been introduced.”
Bollick voted with Democrats to approve the repeal of the Territorial Abortion Law.
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Christy Kelly is a reporter at The Arizona Sun Times and The Star News Network. Follow Christy on Twitter / X. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Kamala Harris” by Kamala Harris. Background Photo “Arizona for Abortion Access Signatures” by Arizona for Abortion Access.
