PowerPoint 'accidentally sent to Dem lawmakers' reveals Arizona GOP strategy to 'dilute votes'

16 April 2024

Arizona Republicans, including far-right U.S. Senate hopeful Kari Lake, have been in damage-control mode following a recent ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court — which upheld a draconian 1864 law that makes abortion illegal in almost all cases.

Lake, who still identifies as "pro-life," came out against the decision even though she applauded the 1864 law in the past. And former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey criticized the Arizona Supreme Court ruling as well.

With Arizona having evolved into a crucial swing state, Republicans fear that the ruling could hurt not only Lake, but also, presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump — who lost Arizona to President Joe Biden in 2020.

A new report from AZ Family/CBS 5 political editor Dennis Welch reveals the scope of the Arizona Republican Party's effort to gain control of the abortion narrative in the state.

According to Welch, an abortion-related PowerPoint strategy for Arizona Republicans was accidentally sent to Democrats serving in the Arizona State Legislature. And the strategy details Republican efforts to undermine an abortion-rights ballot initiative.

Welch reports, "The Republican outline includes two phases, with the first offering a ballot referral that constitutionally protects abortion restrictions that are already on the books. But unlike the citizens' initiative, the GOP's phase one proposal 'does not create a right to abortion.' The second phase, titled 'SEND VOTERS TWO OTHER OPTIONS THAT CONFLICT WITH (Arizona for Abortion Access) INITATIVE,' would send a 15-week and a 6-week abortion ban to the ballot."

Republican House Speaker Ben Toma confirmed the PowerPoint "presents ideas drafted for internal discussion and consideration within the caucus."

"I’ve publicly stated that we are looking for options to address this subject and this is simply part of that,” Toma told AZ Family/CBS 5.

In a segment on AZ Family/CBS 5, Welch sheds additional light on the leaked PowerPoint presentation.

Welch reports, "unlike the proposed Arizona Abortion Access Act, the GOP proposal does not create a right to abortion."

"In addition, it would give the (Arizona State) Legislature the authority to make future changes, which could include stricter abortion regulations," Welch continues. "It would split and dilute support for the Arizona Abortion Access Act. As for what's not in the memo: any attempt to repeal the Civil War-era law that, when it goes into effect, will ban nearly all abortions."

Read Arizona Family's full report here and watch the video below or at this link.

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