Vice President Kamala Harris is on her way to Tucson on Friday to portray former President Donald Trump as the mastermind behind the restrictive abortion bans that are cropping up across the country following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down the federal right to an abortion.
This marks Harris's second visit to the battleground state of Arizona this year, coming shortly after the state Supreme Court upheld a law from 1864 that prohibits almost all abortions.
"Donald Trump is the architect of this health care crisis," Harris is expected to declare, as per a portion of her prepared speech. "And he doesn't shy away from that fact. In reality, he boasts about it." Harris is also set to caution that a potential second term for Trump "would be even more detrimental."
"If Donald Trump is given the opportunity, he will approve a nationwide abortion ban," she plans to assert. "How do we know? Just look at his track record."
Although Trump has not openly supported a national ban and recently stated that the issue should be decided by individual states. "Whatever they determine should be the law of the land," he remarked.
Friday's Event in Arizona
Friday's event in Arizona is a campaign rally where Harris will openly criticize Trump and Republicans more than she has in other battleground state visits as part of her official White House duties.
Following Tuesday's ruling, Arizona has become a focal point in national abortion politics. Both Republicans and Democrats are aware that the abortion issue could play a significant role in determining the outcome of the upcoming elections in Arizona and potentially the presidency.
Arizona is expected to have a constitutional amendment on abortion rights on the ballot in November. Historically, every ballot measure related to this issue since Roe v. Wade has been successful, even in states with a predominantly Republican voter base.
Arizona's Senate Race
In addition to the abortion debate, Arizona is also home to a crucial Senate race this fall to fill the seat being vacated by independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. Republican candidate Kari Lake, who previously supported the state's 1864 abortion ban, has now expressed her support for repealing it. This shift in stance comes amidst the recent state high court ruling, which Lake believes is not aligned with the sentiments of Arizona residents.
Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, another candidate for Sinema's seat, has accused Lake of dishonesty and adopting a more moderate position solely for electoral purposes in the upcoming November elections.
During the 2020 election, President Biden secured a victory in Arizona by a slim margin, surpassing Trump by just 10,457 votes. Since then, the Biden administration has placed significant importance on protecting abortion rights. In a show of support for reproductive freedoms, Vice President Harris visited Phoenix in March as part of her advocacy tour.
On Friday, Harris will be joined by Gallego, other state officials, and advocates for abortion rights in Arizona.
