For Immediate Release
Thursday, August 11th, 2022
Contact: Josselyn Berry, Jberry@azdem.org
Kari Lake Can’t Sweep Her Radical Positions on Abortion Under the Rug
Lake Caught Lying About Her Knowledge of Arizona Abortion Ban In New York Times Article
PHOENIX– In a recent New York Times profile, Kari Lake was caught trying to lie about her stance on abortion. When asked about Arizona’s 1901 abortion ban, which on the campaign trail she calls “a great law,” Lake replied, “At the time, I wasn’t even aware that we have this law on the books. So I don’t think that’s ever going to have to come up.”
Except that’s not true at all. In fact, Lake knew that abortion ban well enough to memorize the statute number. In a June 24th interview with the Conservative Circus, Lake said, “I’m incredibly thrilled that we are going to have a great law that’s already on the books, I believe it’s ARS 13-3603.”
This isn’t even the first time Lake has touted the 1901 law, which has no exceptions for rape or incest and requires prison time for doctors. She responded to the SCOTUS decision overturning Roe by saying she supports the 1901 Arizona law and celebrated it again as a “great law” during a forum in February and said she would support and enforce it during the Republican primary debate.
This is Kari Lake’s actual position on abortion: she’s said “I am pro-life 100%. I’m against abortion,” opposing exceptions for rape and incest and the life of the mother. When asked if she supported exceptions for rape and incest, Lake said, “I don’t believe that any child should be killed in a mother’s womb” and that “life is sacred and you don’t mess with what God wants.” In a June interview on Fox News, Lake also said she supports banning abortion pills.
“Kari lake should remember that when it comes to her radical stance on abortion, we have the receipts. She should also remember that abortion access is widely popular in Arizona, and a motivating issue for voters,” said Josselyn Berry, spokesperson for the Arizona Democratic Party. “Meanwhile her opponent Katie Hobbs is unwavering in her support of reproductive freedom and abortion access.”