In Missouri, Democrat Lucas Kunce is using reproductive care restrictions as a key issue in his campaign against Republican incumbent Senator Josh Hawley. Kunce’s recent ad campaign accuses Hawley of jeopardizing reproductive care, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), despite the fact that IVF is legal in Missouri. Democrats across the country are emphasizing reproductive rights as a way to rally support, especially after various restrictions on abortion have been enacted in multiple states following the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Roe v. Wade.
The issue of reproductive rights has put the GOP on the defensive, with Democrats using it as a way to mobilize voters in key races. In Missouri, the upcoming election between Kunce and Hawley has garnered attention due to Kunce’s strong stance on reproductive rights and his military background. Despite Hawley holding a lead in polls, Kunce has been able to raise more funds in the most recent quarter, indicating strong support for his campaign. Hawley, on the other hand, has expressed his views as a pro-life Republican, supporting limited access to abortion and a federal ban after 15 weeks.
The battle over abortion rights has also led to ballot measures in multiple states, including Missouri, Arizona, and Florida, aiming to guarantee abortion rights and potentially increase voter turnout in favor of Democrats. In Missouri, where abortion is currently banned except in cases of medical emergency, the ballot measure seeks to add the right to abortion to the state constitution. This has prompted some Republican voters, like Larry Bax and Jim Seidel, to reconsider their party allegiance and support candidates who align with their views on reproductive rights.
The Catholic Church has discouraged voters from signing the petition for the ballot measure in Missouri, but organizers were able to collect more than enough signatures to proceed. Concerns about further governmental limits on reproductive care, such as IVF and birth control, have fueled support for candidates like Kunce, who advocate for women’s health and reproductive rights. Kunce is hoping to secure an upset victory in the upcoming election, similar to the one that occurred in 2012 when Democrat Claire McCaskill defeated Republican Todd Akin over abortion issues.
Overall, the battle over reproductive rights and abortion has become a central issue in the Missouri Senate race between Kunce and Hawley. Democrats are using this issue to mobilize voters and highlight the threat they see from Republican candidates who support restrictions on reproductive care. As the campaign unfolds, the outcome will depend on how effectively each candidate can appeal to voters on this critical issue and others facing the state and the country.
