Democrats label Florida ‘ground zero’ in fight for abortion access

Hannah Brandt
·2 min read
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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Democrats say Florida is in play for the 2024 election after a state Supreme Court ruling that puts abortion access on the ballot there.

For the last two presidential elections Florida has been Trump country, but now Democrats are looking to create political momentum in the red state.

“Florida is now ground zero in the fight to protect the woman’s freedom,” Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said.

On Monday, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that a 6-week abortion ban can take effect in May, but voters could reverse that, because the court also approved a ballot initiative that will give Florida the option to protect abortion access.

“Floridians will have a chance to make their voices heard this November and send these extremist policies back to the 20th century where they should have stayed,” Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) said.

The Biden campaign is already leaning into the fight, releasing a new TV ad attacking Donald Trump on the issue.

In it they play a clip of former President Trump saying, ‘For 54 years they were trying to get Roe v. Wade terminated, and I did it, and I’m proud to have done it.’

Then, looking into the camera President Biden promises to protect abortion access if re-elected.

“Donald Trump doesn’t trust women, I do,” Biden said.

George Washington University Public Health Expert Dr. Amita Vyas says this is an opportunity for Democrats.

“All of a sudden a state that they might have sort of pushed away to the side to say we’re not going to win, I now believe will really put Florida in play,” Vyas said.

She says the abortion fight could drive higher voter turnout in Democrats’ favor.

“Ballot measures in favor of abortion rights have already succeeded in several states including Ohio and Michigan,” Vyas said. “Abortion policy really transcends traditional partisan politics.”

However, Reggie Hobbs with the Tampa Bay Pro-Life Alliance says abortion opponents are rallying too.

“Our job now is to get out to people who are sympathetic to a pro-life cause to vote against the amendment,” Hobbs said.

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