Campaign

Gallego targets Lake on abortion in new Arizona Senate ad

by Julia Mueller - 04/15/24 10:17 AM ET

Kari Lake and Representative Ruben Gallego appear side-by-side in this composite image. — Ross D. Franklin, Associated Press; and Tom Williams, pool via Associated Press
Kari Lake, then-Republican candidate for Arizona governor, left, poses for a photograph prior to a PBS televised debate June 29, 2022, in Phoenix; Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), right, is seen in the U.S. Capitol, July 14, 2022, in Washington.

A new ad from Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego’s (D) Senate campaign targets Republican rival Kari Lake on abortion after the state Supreme Court last week upheld a Civil War-era law that makes performing the procedure a felony.

The ad from Gallego’s campaign labels Lake “wrong on abortion” and rolls clips of the GOP hopeful calling abortion “the ultimate sin” and expressing support for the strict 1864 law.

Lake last week came out against the state Supreme Court’s ruling and said the Arizona Legislature should decide on abortion rights, just after former President Trump said the issue of abortion should be left to states.

“I agree with President Trump. We must have exceptions for rape, incest and the life of a mother,” Lake said in a video on her abortion stance. “A full ban on abortion is not where the people are.”

But Gallego has worked to elevate Lake’s previous comments calling the 1864 ban a “great law” and showing support for strict abortion bans.

“I won’t let Kari Lake distort the record,” he said after the ruling, which he labeled “devastating.”

The Hill has reached out to Lake’s campaign for comment on the new ad.

Lake and Gallego are locked in a contentious Senate race to replace Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I), who isn’t running for reelection, as both parties battle for control of the upper chamber. Polling averages from The Hill/Decision Desk HQ show Gallego with a slight edge over his Republican rival.

The new ruling has roiled the race in Arizona, and the issue of abortion is surging further into the national spotlight as the 2024 race heats up.

Advocates in several states — including Arizona — are working to get constitutional amendments protecting abortion rights on the ballot in November, efforts that Democrats hope could boost turnout in their party.