In the wake of an Alabama Supreme Court ruling that brought in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment into the national conversation, Democrats are keenly observing a special state House election this Tuesday. They are looking for indications of how potent the issue of abortion rights is among voters in a predominantly conservative state known for its stringent abortion laws.
Marilyn Lands, a Democrat who lost by a margin of nearly 7 points in the 2022 race, has made reproductive rights a cornerstone of her campaign. In one of her campaign ads, Lands and a young woman named Alyssa Gonzales recount their experiences of undergoing abortions after discovering their fetuses had severe genetic conditions.
While Lands was able to receive treatment in-state under Roe v. Wade two decades ago, Gonzales had to rely on an abortion fund to travel out of state for the same, following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision.
Despite the fact that the election will not alter the control of the Alabama state House, a victory for Lands could provide valuable insight for national Democrats. They are hopeful that the backlash against stringent abortion laws will aid them in flipping control of the US House, retaining the US Senate, and securing President Joe Biden’s reelection.
A Rare Competitive Seat
House District 10, located just outside downtown Huntsville, is a suburban seat that houses the Redstone Arsenal US Army base and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. The seat, which has seen support for both Republicans and Democrats in recent years, is viewed as competitive by both campaigns.
The special election took an unexpected turn last month when the Alabama state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos stored in a lab are considered people. This ruling, while not directly prohibiting IVF, has led several clinics to halt treatments due to potential liability in wrongful death lawsuits involving embryos.
A Focus on the Economy
Republican candidate Teddy Powell, who has centered his campaign on education, infrastructure, and economic development, believes that the state legislature has addressed the concerns around IVF with legislation enacted earlier this month.
While Powell acknowledges that abortion is a contentious issue, he maintains that the special election is primarily about local issues. He argues that most voters are not primarily motivated or affected by abortion or reproductive issues.
However, Lands believes that reproductive rights issues are a major motivator for voters. She has also leveraged her community connections to appeal to voters across the political spectrum.
As with any special election, turnout will be low and the result will hinge on which candidate’s supporters show up. Both campaigns have been actively engaging with voters ahead of Tuesday’s vote.
Contributor: Maxine Tamsett, CNN