The presumptive Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Arizona is expressing her discontent this afternoon after the state's supreme court reinstated a near-total ban on abortion.
A traditionally Republican state, Arizona has shifted towards the Democratic Party in recent years, while still maintaining a libertarian streak that is common throughout the Mountain West.
With her background as both a journalist and statewide candidate, Lake appears confident that the revival of the 160-year-old ban could harm Republicans all the way up and down the ticket. (RELATED: Arizona Supreme Court Revives 160-Year-Old Abortion Ban)
“In addition to covering the state of Arizona as a fair and honest journalist for 27 years, I have traveled to every corner of this state on the campaign trail. I speak to more Arizonans than anyone and it is abundantly clear that the pre-statehood law is out of step with Arizonans,” a statement from Lake read. “I am the only woman and mother in this race. I understand the fear, anxiety and joy of pregnancy and motherhood. I wholeheartedly agree with President Trump — this is a very personal issue that should be determined by each individual state and her people. I oppose today's ruling, and am calling on Katie Hobbs and the State Legislature to come up with an immediate common sense solution that Arizonans can support.”
Lake also promised to oppose federal funding for and restrictions on abortion if she wins the election in November.
Isaac Shorr from Mediaite pointed out that Tuesday's statement represents a reversal for Lake, who in 2022 stated her support for the near-total abortion ban from when Arizona was still a U.S. territory.
“I believe it's ARS 13-3603, so it will prohibit abortion in Arizona except to save the life of a mother. And I think we're going to be paving the way and setting course for other states to follow,” Lake said during a June 24, 2022, appearance on “The Conservative Circus with James T. Harris.”
In a Republican primary debate five days later, Lake expressed her belief that life begins at conception and called for the prohibition of medically-induced abortions. One month before Election Day 2022, she appeared on Phoenix radio station KTAR, saying, “It would be really wonderful if abortion was rare and legal. Rare but safe, I think they said.”
In her final position before that election, Lake expressed her support for Arizona's law that permitted abortions up to 15 weeks.
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