Anti-Abortion Candidates Celebrate SCOTUS Overturning Roe Despite Public Outcry Over the Unpopular Decision

Washington, D.C. — Last week's Supreme Court ruling to overturn Roe v Wade was a gut punch to millions of people across the country. Americans overwhelmingly oppose the court’s decision to ignore nearly 50 years of precedent and take away abortion rights. As most people processed their grief and outrage, anti-abortion rights candidates celebrated the travesty that could strip abortion access from 36 million women plus more people who can become pregnant. Politicians' decades-long coordinated effort to control people's bodies has come to fruition, and they are now eager to push for a nationwide abortion ban.

 As thousands of people took to the streets to rally against the attacks on our rights, out-of-touch candidates boasted about their draconian views on abortion – views opposed by the voters who will decide their fates this November.

Statement from Jenny Lawson, executive director, Planned Parenthood Votes:

“Make no mistake. There will be severe consequences for politicians who celebrated this decision and have relentlessly worked to roll back our rights and take away our freedoms. We will not let voters forget those who celebrated and worked toward the destruction of our rights and freedoms. Hundreds of thousands of people across the country are protesting in wake of this egregious decision —  and this is just the beginning. Voters will bring their outrage to the ballot box in November and vote for reproductive rights champions who are committed to protect abortion access.” 

What Anti-Abortion Rights Candidates Are Saying Post SCOTUS Decision:

• Doug Mastriano, (gubernatorial candidate, Pennsylvania): “Roe v. Wade is rightly relegated to the ash heap of history. As the abortion debate returns to the states, Pennsylvania must be prepared to lead the nation in being a voice for the voiceless.”
• Brian Kemp, (governor, Georgia): “Today’s landmark ruling is a historic victory for life. I look forward to its impact on … the Georgia LIFE Act, and hope our law will be fully implemented and ultimately protect countless unborn lives here in the Peach State.”
• Herschel Walker, (Senate candidate, Georgia): “This Supreme Court decision sends the issue of abortion back to the states, which is where it belongs.”
• Ted Budd (Senate candidate, North Carolina): “Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court is a historic victory for the millions of Americans who believe that every life is precious and deserves protection. #ProLife.”
• Joe Lombardo, (gubernatorial candidate, Nevada): “This morning, the United States Supreme Court rightfully returned the power to the people and their elected state representatives. I’m Catholic and pro-life, and I believe that most Nevadans - no matter what their personal background is - agree with me and want fewer abortions, not more.”
• Adam Laxalt (Senate candidate, Nevada): “This is a historic victory for the sanctity of life and the principles of democratic self-determination. The Supreme Court has never had the expertise nor the authority to unilaterally legislate on abortion. After more than 50 years, that responsibility is poised to finally return to its rightful owners: the American people and their elected representatives.”
• Dr. Mehmet Oz (Senate candidate, Pennsylvania): “I am relieved that protecting the lives of America’s unborn children will once again be decided by the people through their elected representatives. As we lift up life, we must focus on the needs of mothers and children, for whom this decision can be the greatest gift of all.”
• Blake Masters (Senate candidate, Arizona): “This is a huge victory for children across this country. For decades, we allowed a terrible Court ruling to justify an abortion regimes. That ends today.”
• Ron Johnson (Senator, Wisconsin): “Today is a victory for life and for those who have fought for decades to protect the unborn. For almost 50 years the decision of nine unelected Justices prevented a democratically derived consensus on the profound moral issue of abortion. Now the debate can be returned to states.”

Abortion is a winning issue. Anti-abortion rights politicians are acting against the wishes of voters:

• 80% of the American public thinks abortion should be legal
• Nearly 70% of Americans did not want the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade
• 75% of people say decisions on abortion should be left to the woman and her doctor, including 95% of Democrats, 81% of independents and 53% of Republicans
• People agree that the decision to overturn Roe was a step backward for America by a 20 point margin
• 62% of Independents disagree with the Supreme Court decision
• 58% of the country want a federal law making abortion legal

Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations will fight back. Alongside NARAL Pro-Choice America and EMILY’s List, Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations will contribute to a historic $150 million combined investment to elect abortion rights champions up and down the ballot across the country.

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Planned Parenthood Votes is an independent expenditure political committee registered with the Federal Election Commission.