Republican Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake recently expressed her disappointment that Arizona’s 1864 law banning nearly all abortions is not being enforced, a shift from her earlier comments when she criticized the resurrected measure for going too far.
In an interview with the Idaho Dispatch on Saturday, Lake lamented, “The Arizona Supreme Court said this is the law of Arizona. But unfortunately, the people running our state have said we’re not going to enforce it.” She added, “We don’t have that law, as much as many of us wish we did.”
Lake’s remarks came in response to criticism from the anti-abortion group Idaho Chooses Life. Her campaign did not immediately respond to questions about her comments.
Kari Lake (Credits: ABC News)
Earlier this month, Arizona’s Supreme Court upheld the Civil War-era law that bans nearly all abortions in the state, except in instances to save the life of the mother, and imposes jail time for physicians who perform abortions.
However, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs and Attorney General Kris Mayes, both Democrats, stated they would not enforce it or prosecute providers. Mayes even mentioned exploring “all legal options available” to prevent the law from taking effect, which could be as early as June 8.
Kari Lake (Credits: Newsweek)
Lake’s stance on the 1864 measure has shifted. In 2022, while running for governor of Arizona, she praised it as a “great law.” However, after the recent Supreme Court ruling, she changed her tune, stating in an April 11 video, “This total ban on abortion that the Arizona Supreme Court has ruled on is out of line with where the people of this state are.”
She also expressed agreement with having exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother, echoing former President Trump’s position.
Reportedly, Lake has been personally lobbying GOP members of Arizona’s Legislature to repeal the ban, aiming to revert the state back to its 2022 law banning abortion after 15 weeks, which also lacks exceptions for rape or incest.
