Democrats Make Major Gains in Ohio and Kentucky, Bolster Abortion Rights Prior to 2024 Presidential Race
In a surprising turn of events, the Democratic party has secured significant victories in Ohio and Kentucky, further advancing the cause of abortion rights as the 2024 presidential race looms. These wins serve as a strong signal that reproductive rights remain a vital and potent issue for Democrats across the United States.
Despite Ohio’s conservative lean and its overwhelming support for Republican Donald Trump in the 2020 election, voters in the state have approved a constitutional amendment that guarantees abortion rights, according to projections from Edison Research. This outcome adds to the series of victories for advocates of abortion access since the US Supreme Court’s decision last year to overturn the landmark Roe v Wade ruling, effectively eradicating the nationwide right to terminate pregnancies.
Virginia also witnessed a significant development, as Democrats appeared poised to maintain their slim majority in the state Senate. This outcome enables them to continue blocking Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin’s plan to impose a ban on most abortions beyond 15 weeks after conception. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee announced that the party had retained control of the Senate, with the fate of the House still undecided.
In Kentucky, Democratic Governor Andy Beshear defied expectations by winning a second four-year term. This victory is particularly noteworthy considering Kentucky’s conservative inclination and its overwhelming support for Trump in 2020 by a margin of over 25 percentage points. Beshear’s win underscores his popularity, which has been buoyed by his leadership through the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and natural disasters. Throughout his campaign, he emphasized protecting abortion rights, although he lacks the power to overturn the state’s near-total ban.
These electoral contests, along with several others across the country, serve as crucial indicators of the electorate’s stance less than 10 weeks before the Iowa presidential nominating contest commences the 2024 presidential campaign. The outcomes of these races could assuage concerns among national Democrats who are worried about President Joe Biden’s popularity with voters.
President Biden himself lauded the result in Ohio, praising the American people for voting to protect their fundamental freedoms and celebrating the triumph of democracy.
The battles over abortion rights took center stage in the Ohio vote, nearly 18 months after the Supreme Court’s decision. Abortion rights advocacy groups had previously scored a series of victories by placing abortion-related referendums on the ballot, even in conservative states. Building on this strategy, the favorable outcome in Ohio is poised to energize efforts to introduce similar measures in other states for 2024, including critical swing states like Arizona and Florida.
The anti-abortion opposition campaigned against the Ohio amendment, labeling it excessively extreme. Meanwhile, abortion rights groups cautioned that rejecting the amendment would clear the path for a more stringent ban on abortions. Consequently, Tuesday’s vote renders moot a previous six-week limit that had been approved by the Republican-controlled legislature but had been put on hold due to pending legal challenges.
In Virginia, all 40 seats in the Senate and 100 seats in the House of Delegates were up for grabs. Democrats strategically positioned abortion as the primary issue, while Youngkin portrayed his proposed 15-week limit as a moderate compromise. Youngkin’s approach may provide Republicans with a blueprint for future campaigns. Nevertheless, the failure to secure a legislative majority serves as a rebuke for Youngkin, whose political action committee invested millions in the campaign. Despite some Republicans floating Youngkin as a potential late entry in the 2024 presidential race, the governor has refuted such speculations, stating that he has no plans for a White House bid.
In addition to the Ohio and Virginia races, Republican Governor Tate Reeves of Mississippi found himself in a fiercely contested battle against his Democratic challenger, Brandon Presley, the second cousin of iconic musician Elvis Presley. While the outcome of the Mississippi race remained too close to call late on Tuesday, early results pointed to Reeves holding a significant lead. The final result will be determined once all votes are counted.
These electoral outcomes serve to highlight the growing importance of reproductive rights as a key political issue. Democrats’ successes in Ohio and Kentucky demonstrate the party’s commitment to protecting abortion rights, even in traditionally conservative territories. As the presidential race inches closer, it remains to be seen how these wins will shape the broader political landscape and influence voters’ preferences come 2024.
