from States Newsroom
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By Sofia Resnick |
Georgia Democratic Gov.-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms spoke last week at the state Capitol about her transition into office. In Georgia, Iowa and Texas, sweeping Democratic election wins could advance abortion access. (Photo by Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)
Sweeping Democratic election wins could advance abortion access in states with tight restrictions, especially in Georgia, Iowa and Texas, where Democrats seized the governor’s office for the first time in decades.
All three states will have Democratic attorneys general, and in Georgia and Texas, Democrats will control the state House while Republicans retain the state Senate. Texas has a strict abortion ban, while Iowa and Georgia only allow it up to about six weeks of pregnancy.
Meanwhile, in Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, Democrats have won new “trifectas” – control of the governor’s office and both legislative chambers – creating new opportunities to expand abortion rights. Both Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro and Wisconsin Democratic Gov.-elect David Crowley have already pledged to codify abortion rights through state law or a constitutional amendment.
Abortion rights supporters also won victories in three of the four states – Missouri, Nevada and Virginia – where abortion-related measures were on the ballot. The lone exception was Idaho, where voters preserved their state’s strict abortion ban.
State consequences are already on display in Texas, where Democratic Attorney General-elect Nathan Johnson has promised to stop suing telehealth abortion providers in other states. Johnson’s proclamation is a stark reversal of the policy of his Republican predecessor, Ken Paxton, who failed in his bid to become a U.S. senator.
“My hope in humanity has been restored a little bit, and I don’t think I even realized how much that was wearing on me behind the scenes for the last two years,” said Kaitlyn Kash, who left Texas in 2021 to obtain an abortion in Kansas after fatal fetal complications threatened her pregnancy and potentially her own health.
Kash was among several plaintiffs who joined the 2023 Zurawski v. Texas lawsuit seeking to clarify the state’s medical emergency exceptions to its abortion ban. The Texas Supreme Court ruled in favor of the state in 2024, 9-0.
But future abortion cases could see different outcomes: Last week, Democrats won all four Texas Supreme Court seats that were up for election. That leaves the GOP with a narrow 5-4 advantage on the state Supreme Court.
“To not have a vindictive attorney general anymore is going to save lives,” Kash said, referring to actions Paxton has taken, including bringing legal actions against abortion providers inside and outside the state and petitioning the state Supreme Court to halt a court ruling allowing the termination of a nonviable pregnancy.
THE BEAT
Dr. Margaret Baum, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood Great Rivers, embraces Margot Riphagen, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Rivers, during an Amendment 3 watch party in St. Louis. The crowd celebrated after the ballot measure aimed at banning abortion was voted down by Missourians last week. (Photo by Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent)
MISSOURI
Republicans in Missouri say they’re not giving up on abortion ban: About 55% of Missouri voters rejected Amendment 3, preserving the constitutional right to abortion they approved in 2024. Voters also approved Amendment 6, limiting lawmakers’ power to overturn citizen-approved measures. Democrats won enough legislative seats to end the GOP’s supermajority in the state House, but Republican state Sen. Nick Schroer, the next Senate majority leader, said restricting abortion access is still a priority. — Missouri Independent
TEXAS
Texas AG-elect says he won’t sue out-of-state abortion medication providers: Within 24 hours of Texas’ historic Democratic sweep, Texas Attorney General-elect Nathan Johnson said he would end Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton’s practice of suing doctors in other states for sending abortion medication to Texas patients. — The Texas Tribune
MICHIGAN
Michigan governor directs agencies to strengthen privacy protections for reproductive health data: Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order directing agencies to conduct a review of policies and practices related to reproductive health data and then ensure such policies protect the privacy of this data. The directive, which takes effect immediately, prohibits the sharing of geolocation information and other data with commercial organizations and federal agencies. — Michigan Advance
OHIO
Judge strikes down parts of law that supported Ohio’s six-week abortion ban: Three years after Ohioans voted to protect abortion rights in their constitution in 2023, an Ohio judge ruled that other parts of a law including the state’s former six-week abortion ban can no longer be enforced. Among those requirements were that every physician who performs an abortion had to record whether the patient’s health was the reason for it. — Ohio Capital Journal
IDAHO
Idahoans respond with relief, dismay after abortion-rights initiative fails: Idaho voters rejected a ballot measure to protect abortion rights through viability with 56% of the vote. Supporters of the initiative, including some faith groups, are concerned healthcare access continues to be in jeopardy, as many physicians say the abortion ban limits their medical decisions. But anti-abortion advocates throughout the state celebrated the defeat. — Idaho Capital Sun
THE PULSE
LA: For runoffs, Louisiana voters selected Democrats with conservative records on social issues | Louisiana Illuminator
MA: Massachusetts governor puts abortion law into effect early, relaxing restrictions and teeing up 2028 ballot fight | CommonWealth Beacon
TX: Feds plan to take over Texas lawsuit against Planned Parenthood | The Texas Tribune
VA: Voter turnout for Virginia constitutional amendments transcended partisanships | Virginia Mercury
ABORTION ACCESS IN THE U.S.
Track state-level developments on reproductive rights anytime at News From The States. Send tips and thoughts to ✉️ [email protected], and follow her on Bluesky @sofiaresnick.bsky.social.
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