Democratic women candidates are embracing a new political strategy by sharing their personal abortion stories.
In a bid to represent a Northern Alabama state House district, Marilyn Lands focused on reproductive rights and openly discussed a nonviable pregnancy that led to an abortion. To the surprise of many, Lands, a Democrat, defeated her Republican opponent in a special election by a significant 25-point margin on Tuesday.
It was a risky move in a deeply conservative state, but one that ultimately paid off.
Lands is part of a growing cohort of women in state legislatures across states like Arizona and Georgia who are opting to share their own abortion experiences. They believe that sharing these personal stories adds a human element to the abortion debate, resonates with voters on a personal level, and motivates them to participate in the electoral process. This shift reflects a broader societal change where more women, including politicians, are feeling empowered to discuss a once-taboo topic openly.
Following the Supreme Court’s controversial 2022 decision to overturn abortion rights, Democrats have seized on the issue to energize their campaigns, winning referendums to restore reproductive rights even in traditionally conservative states. Now, they are elevating their messaging by incorporating their own narratives into the conversation.
Speaking about her decision to share her story, Lands stated, “I never really was conflicted about whether I should share the story or not. It just felt like the right thing to do at this moment in time.”
Recently, Arizona Rep. Eva Burch gained widespread attention for sharing the challenges she faced while seeking an abortion during a speech on the state House floor.
Heather Williams, President of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, emphasized the power of personal storytelling, stating, “Any time you make something personal, it resonates. The storytelling is authentic, and that is very meaningful.”
The Alabama election outcome underscores the Democrats’ success in campaigning on abortion access post-midterms. Party leaders are optimistic that Lands’ triumph signals a new frontier in their efforts to make inroads in states where the Republican Party holds sway. Notably, Lands had previously contested the seat in 2022 and lost by a smaller margin of seven points.
Republican strategist Alex Conant acknowledged the effectiveness of using personal stories in campaigns but cautioned against drawing broad conclusions from a special election with minimal turnout. The district where Lands secured victory, encompassing parts of Huntsville and Madison, saw only 5,965 ballots cast, representing less than 2 percent of the electorate, according to the latest unofficial election results. The district’s residents are characterized as younger, more educated, and higher-income earners compared to the state’s average.
Lands acknowledges that her victory does not significantly alter the power dynamics in Montgomery, where Republicans maintain supermajorities in both legislative chambers and hold all statewide offices. Nonetheless, she believes that Tuesday’s results indicate a readiness among voters for fresh representation in the state capital.
The strict abortion ban in Alabama, which prohibits the procedure at any stage without exceptions for cases of rape or incest, faces public disapproval. A recent state Supreme Court decision temporarily banning IVF has prompted concerns among some Republicans about potential backlash in the upcoming November elections. Responding to this, Republicans swiftly enacted legislation safeguarding healthcare providers and patients from the court’s ruling that equated fertilized embryos with children under state law.
Sharing her experience on the House floor, Burch highlighted encountering obstacles such as mandatory ultrasounds and receiving misleading information about abortion alternatives due to state laws.
In an interview, Burch expressed her desire for greater awareness about abortion procedures and the importance of destigmatizing the topic to facilitate honest discussions on government involvement in such decisions.
This wasn’t the first time Burch, a nurse practitioner with experience in women’s health clinics, shared her abortion story. During her 2022 campaign, the Mesa-area Democrat openly discussed an abortion she underwent due to a nonviable pregnancy.
Shea Roberts, a Georgia Representative, felt compelled to run for office again after Georgia enacted stringent abortion restrictions in 2019. Initially unsuccessful in her bid to represent a suburban Atlanta district in 2018, Roberts persevered and clinched victory in 2022.
Prior to this, Roberts had kept quiet about an abortion she underwent years ago following a diagnosis of a chromosomal disorder in the pregnancy. However, the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization prompted her to speak out, wanting to reach individuals with differing views on reproductive rights.
Reflecting on her decision to share her story, Roberts stated, “Telling my story, despite the challenges of sharing such a painful and intimate part of my life, has allowed me to connect with women across the state. It has aided in my healing process, helped me shed shame, and empowered me to continue advocating for reproductive freedom in Georgia.”
Georgia Democrats believe they are well-positioned to challenge the Republican majority in the state House. However, achieving this goal on Election Night requires flipping 12 seats. Despite the challenging landscape, increased candidate recruitment compared to 2022 and the creation of five new majority-Black districts through redistricting offer Democrats potential gains.
Roberts emphasized that Alabama’s election has invigorated Democratic campaigns to further emphasize abortion access.
“All options are now on the table,” Roberts affirmed.
Alice Miranda Ollstein contributed to this report.
