TL/DR –
U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake has challenged her likely Democratic opponent, Ruben Gallego, to a debate on the future of abortion rights in Arizona, a move that Gallego quickly rejected. The debate challenge followed the signing into law of a bill to repeal Arizona’s near-total ban on abortions dating back to 1864, a law that Lake initially supported but later called to repeal following a state court ruling. Lake, who labels herself as “pro-family,” has suggested a plan similar to Hungary’s “baby bonuses” tax rebates, and has stated her opposition to federal funding of abortion and federal banning of abortion.
Arizona Abortion Rights: U.S. Senate Candidate Kari Lake Challenges Opponents to a Debate
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake has challenged her likely Democratic opponent Ruben Gallego to an abortion rights debate. This comes amidst growing defense from Republicans around the future of abortion rights in Arizona.
Gallego, a five-term member of Congress, has quickly rejected the offer. Meanwhile, Lake’s Republican rival took the opportunity to renew his calls for a debate with Lake.
This debate request comes after Gov. Katie Hobbs signed into law a bill repealing Arizona’s near-total abortion ban dating back to 1864. The Arizona Supreme Court upheld the 19th-century law last month, which will take effect following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to erase federal abortion rights.
Lake, the Republican front-runner, had initially supported the 19th-century measure during her 2022 gubernatorial campaign but later called for its repeal following the state court’s ruling, sparking criticism from conservative groups.
During a press conference in Phoenix, Lake labeled herself “pro-family” and officially challenged Gallego to a one-on-one debate on the issue of abortion. However, the offer was swiftly rejected by Hannah Goss, a spokesperson for Gallego’s campaign.
While Gallego declined Lake’s invitation, Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, who is challenging Lake for the Republican nomination, claimed Lake won’t debate him either.
During her 2022 gubernatorial run, Lake criticized Hobbs, a Democrat, for refusing to debate her. Now, she seeks to reset the debate around an issue that has reignited concerns about the impact of abortion rights on Republican candidates.
After Arizona’s highest court reimposed the 1864 law, Lake expressed her support for exceptions for rape and incest, in addition to saving the life of the mother. She later revealed it was “unfortunate” the law wouldn’t be fully enforced and suggested women could travel to another state for the procedure.
Lake said her preferred plan would look similar to that of Hungary’s, which offers tax rebates or “baby bonuses” to its citizens for getting married, having a child, or to grandparents willing to raise their grandchildren.
As senator, Lake would oppose federal funding of abortion and federal banning of abortion. She pointed out that Gallego voted to spend “hundreds of millions of federal tax dollars on abortion.”
Gallego has stated that he supports abortion rights reverting to the Roe v. Wade era that began in 1973 and ended with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2022.
Despite being invited to participate in a debate organized by America Pack, a conservative group mobilizing voters for an America-first agenda, Lake has yet to respond.
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