For Florida voters heading to the polls, understanding where candidates stand on key issues is crucial. This guide focuses on abortion rights, a significant and often decisive factor for many. Here’s a breakdown of the positions of major candidates in upcoming elections.
Presidential Candidates
Kamala Harris (D)
Legal. Vice President Harris is a strong advocate for abortion rights, stating, “Every woman should have the right to make decisions about her own body.” She emphasizes the issue as one of fundamental freedom. Alongside President Biden, she has worked to protect abortion pill access and patient protections, reversing previous restrictions. She has pledged to sign a national abortion rights bill if passed by Congress.
Donald Trump (R)
Ban. Former President Trump takes credit for overturning Roe v. Wade, stating, “After 50 years of failure, I was able to kill Roe v. Wade.” He appointed three conservative Supreme Court justices who played a key role in this decision. While he suggests abortion should be decided by individual states, his rhetoric has included potentially monitoring pregnancies and even prosecuting women. Despite these past statements, he has recently downplayed the issue, saying abortion is “really not that big of an issue.”
Vice Presidential Candidates
Tim Walz (D)
Legal. As Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz has championed abortion rights, enshrining them into state law and protecting access for out-of-state patients. He views this as a matter of freedom, stating, “Freedom is on the march in Minnesota.”
JD Vance (R)
Ban. Senator Vance has a strong anti-abortion stance. While he previously advocated for a national abortion ban, even without exceptions for rape or incest, he now states the decision should be left to the states. He has opposed measures to protect reproductive care privacy.
Candidates for U.S. Senate (Florida)
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D)
Legal. Mucarsel-Powell is a vocal supporter of abortion rights. She supports the ballot measure to constitutionally guarantee abortion rights in Florida and advocates for federal protection of these rights. She argues that bans like Florida’s endanger women’s lives and strip them of fundamental freedoms.
Rick Scott (R)
Ban. Senator Rick Scott is anti-abortion. He supported Florida’s 6-week abortion ban and celebrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade. He opposes the Florida ballot measure to guarantee abortion rights. While he now suggests leaving the decision to states, he has a history of supporting national abortion bans.
