Ohio Anti-Abortion Groups Aim to Break Losing Streak with Unique Strategy
Ohio anti-abortion activists are attempting to reverse their movement’s continuous losses across the country. The state is currently in the midst of early voting for a November ballot referendum, which, if passed, would constitutionally enshrine reproductive freedom and allow abortion up to conception.
The impending campaign against the ballot measure is seen as a major test for anti-abortion leaders and Republican politicians who are striving to achieve victory on this contentious issue. Since the Roe v. Wade ruling, abortion rights have consistently emerged victorious across all states that have voted on the matter.
In Ohio, a Republican-led state that twice favored former President Trump, GOP politicians are framing their opposition as a moderating force in the ongoing debate. “Here we are in Midwestern Ohio, a commonsense conservative state where we may, in just a period of several weeks, have the most extreme abortion law in the country. I think we are all united in making sure that doesn’t happen,” stated Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R) at a recent “get out the vote” rally held at the state Republican headquarters.
LaRose is currently seeking the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate to challenge incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown (D).
“We have to shed our Republican label and go out and talk to everyday Ohioans irrespective of what party and even what position they have on this issue of abortion,” declared state Senator Matt Dolan (R), another U.S. Senate candidate, during the rally.
Dolan emphasized the need to focus messaging on late-term abortions.
“We have to get uncomfortable in Ohio over the next 30 days and engage in these uncomfortable conversations with people, discussing what Issue 1 will do,” he asserted.
Both sides of the Issue 1 campaign are fully engaged for the final three weeks, running television and digital ads, canvassing neighborhoods, making phone calls, and encouraging early voting. To “maximize” conservative turnout, the Ohio Republican Party, in partnership with the Republican National Committee, has launched the “Bank Your Vote” initiative.
“The best way to defend innocent life, protect Ohio’s workers, and make your voice heard is to Bank Your ‘NO’ vote on Issues 1 and 2 before Election Day,” urged state GOP Chairman Alex Triantafilou in a statement.
Governor Mike DeWine (R) and first lady Fran DeWine appeared in an anti-Issue 1 ad sponsored by Protect Women Ohio, the coalition leading the campaign against the ballot measure.
“Whether you’re pro-life or pro-choice, Issue 1 is just not right for Ohio,” stated DeWine in the advertisement.
Despite a recent winning streak on abortion rights, including in conservative states like Ohio, where voters firmly rejected an August ballot initiative seen as a proxy for abortion, opponents of the measure in Ohio claim that their message aligns with anti-abortion groups in other states and has remained consistent since the proposal became public.
They are primarily focusing their messaging on parental rights and late-term abortions.
“We don’t have to fine-tune our messaging. When people in Ohio learn that this takes away parental rights and consent, they reject it regardless of their stance on abortion,” explained Peter Range, CEO of Ohio Right to Life and a board member of Protect Women Ohio.
However, Range highlighted an important difference between Ohio and other states — time.
“Dobbs was released, and then a few months later, Michigan was voting on Prop. 3. We’ve had more time to work on the ground, knocking on doors, airing commercials, and talking about parental rights from the very beginning,” Range remarked.
According to Range, anti-abortion coalitions are capitalizing on this time to expand their message beyond the conservative base, targeting independent voters and even those who describe themselves as pro-choice.
The proponents of the ballot measure also assert that there is no need to change or refine their message in the final weeks of the campaign.
“The stakes couldn’t be higher. Ohio has an extreme abortion ban on the books with no exception for rape, incest, or even when a woman’s life is at risk. Issue 1 is Ohio voters’ opportunity to remove that extreme abortion ban. It’s just that simple,” said Gabriel Mann, a spokesman for Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights (OURR).
Following the Dobbs ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, Ohio passed a six-week abortion ban without exceptions for rape, incest, or the health and safety of the mother. The law was implemented for about three months, after which it was blocked by a lower court, allowing providers to continue offering abortions up to 22 weeks. However, the state Supreme Court is presently considering lifting the injunction, which could occur at any time.
OURR recently launched an advertisement featuring a couple named Beth and Kyle, who were compelled to travel out of state for abortion care, despite having a nonviable pregnancy.
“We’re not taking anything for granted. But you know, what we have is the popular opinion of the voters. People do not want the government to be making these decisions for them and their family,” Mann concluded.
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