USA Today: Abortion “Still on Voters’ Minds” in New Hampshire

USA Today: Abortion “Still on Voters’ Minds” in New Hampshire

OBGYN Dr. Ellen Joyce: “Here in New Hampshire, people feel very … attached to their freedoms”

USA Today reported on voters’ views on the state of reproductive rights across the country in key states ahead of the 2024 election, including New Hampshire, where “fear of further abortion restrictions from politicians, despite what they may say publicly, will likely be a major factor in turnout.” 

That’s according to Southern New Hampshire University Civics Scholar Dean Spiliotes, who also claimed: “it’s the fear they say one thing to get into office, but then when that person gets in there, they actually do something far more restrictive.” These comments could be in reference to former U.S. Senator and Republican candidate for governor Kelly Ayotte, who, despite her lengthy and public track record of restricting Granite Staters’ reproductive rights, has tried to downplay her dangerous history to trick New Hampshire voters into believing she won’t come after their reproductive freedom as governor.

In the U.S. Senate, Ayotte led the charge for a national abortion ban, called for the overturning of Roe v. Wade, voted against funding for Planned Parenthood, and voted to make it harder for Granite Staters to access birth control. After leaving the U.S. Senate, Ayotte was hand-picked to serve as the “sherpa” for Supreme Court Justice nominee Neil Gorsuch’s Senate confirmation, paving the way for the eventual overturning of Roe. Earlier this year, as USA Today reported, one of Kelly Ayotte’s allies in the state legislature introduced a bill to ban abortion after just 15 days – before most even know they are pregnant.

As USA Today reported, new polling last month from UMass Lowell confirmed that protecting and expanding reproductive rights in the Granite State is deeply popular, including with Republican voters: “66% of New Hampshire Republicans also believe there should be a right to get an abortion in every state of the U.S.,” putting Kelly Ayotte out of touch with her own party. Just recently, it was announced that Ayotte will campaign with U.S. Senator Tom Cotton and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, two well-known anti-abortion extremists.

“No matter what she says now, Granite Staters can’t trust Kelly Ayotte to protect their reproductive freedom,” said DGA States Press Secretary Emma O’Brien, “As this issue remains top of mind for voters heading into 2024, Granite Staters know that their reproductive rights would be at risk with Kelly Ayotte in the corner office. While Ayotte campaigns out of state with anti-choice extremists, Granite Staters are reminded of her dangerous and extreme anti-choice track record and legacy of helping to overturn Roe, and they won’t fall for her election year tricks.”

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