LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Republican Adam Laxalt, the former Nevada Attorney General who is running against U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, said overturning Roe v. Wade “would constitute an historic victory” against abortion.
In a statement on Tuesday, Laxalt joined the debate and decried the leaked draft by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito as a “sinister” tactic by liberals “to intimidate and undermine the highest Court in the land and our American institutions.”
The leak was published first by Politico on Monday, and spread quickly as a clue that the court would overturn the ruling that established abortion rights for women. Nevada has since established abortion rights at the state.
After initial reactions tweeted Monday from Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford, U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, U.S. Rep. Susie Lee and U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford — all Democrats — Laxalt’s statement was among the first from Republicans. Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak’s campaign also issued a statement on Monday.
Laxalt’s full statement:
If the leaked draft reflects the Supreme Court’s ultimate decision, it would constitute an historic victory for the sanctity of life and the principles of democratic self-determination. The Supreme Court has never had the expertise nor the authority to unilaterally legislate on abortion. After more than 50 years, that responsibility is poised to finally return to its rightful owners: the American people and their elected representatives.
Adam Laxalt, candidate for U.S. Senate
The sinister act of leaking a highly confidential Supreme Court draft decision is the culmination of Left’s multi-year effort to intimidate and undermine the highest Court in the land and our American institutions. The individual(s) responsible for this unprecedented and unforgivable attack on America’s judiciary must be punished to the fullest possible extent.
The people of Nevada have already voted to make abortion rights legal in our state, and so no matter the Court’s ultimate decision on Roe, it is currently settled law in our state.
The issue is likely to dominate the U.S. Senate contest between Laxalt and Masto.
Masto’s campaign replied soon after Laxalt’s statement:
Adam Laxalt has again said what we’ve known all along: he wants Roe v. Wade overturned so he can strip away a woman’s right to choose in Nevada and across the country. He stands against the vast majority of Nevadans who are pro-choice and would be an automatic vote for federal legislation banning abortion nationwide, taking away this fundamental freedom and punishing women for seeking reproductive care. It’s why Nevadans rejected him in 2018, and why they’ll reject him again in November.
Josh Marcus-Blank, Masto campaign spokesman
U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., also issued a statement on Tuesday:
If this report is true, I am saddened but not surprised that after years of Republican efforts, this court plans to strike down Roe v. Wade and take women’s personal health care decisions away from us.
Dina Titus, U.S. Representative
This decision would be unprecedented and devastating, but it is not the end of the fight. I am deeply committed to ensuring that this country does not turn back the clock on women’s equality. … Every one of my GOP opponents supports the assault on women’s right to make our own health care decisions. It is more important than ever that in this election, the overwhelming majority of pro-choice voters in Southern Nevada make our voices heard and reject anti-choice candidates who would block Congress from codifying Roe into law.
Rosen released a full statement Tuesday, a day after her initial reaction on Twitter:
If reports that the Supreme Court is moving to overturn Roe v Wade are true, this would have dire consequences for women’s health and reproductive freedoms across our country.
Jacky Rosen, U.S. senator
These unprecedented, rigid, and harmful attacks on women’s rights cannot go unanswered. Now more than ever, I will continue fighting to ensure the right to choose is protected, including by codifying Roe into law.
Republican candidate for governor John Lee issued the following statement via video on Twitter:
This is John Lee, running for governor of the state of Nevada. There’s a lot of talk today about the leaked Supreme Court decision that would overturn Roe versus Wade. I’ll have more to say on that decision once it’s released, but for now I want you to know that if I’m elected governor of the state of Nevada, I will be the most pro-life governor this state has ever had. I will support any effort to outlaw abortion in Nevada with the exceptions of rape, incest and the life of the mother. I think Republican primary voters should ask the question of all candidates running for governor: If Roe is struck down, officially by the court, would you as governor support an effort in Nevada to ban abortions? If so, would there be any exceptions?
John Lee, mayor of North Las Vegas and Republican candidate for governor
Lindsey Harmon, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Votes Nevada said in a statement:
The gravity of this leak cannot be overstated; however, at this time it is important to remember that abortion remains legal in the United States. And that, regardless of what the Supreme Court’s final ruling is in the case, abortion rights are protected in Nevada by state statute.
Lindsey Harmon, executive director for Planned Parenthood Votes Nevada
That said, this is a galvanizing moment for the abortion rights movement in our state and across the country. This leak has made it clear that the threat to abortion access across the country is not hypothetical. Planned Parenthood Votes Nevada, our partners, and our supporters are fighting together to ensure that the right to abortion care remains protected in our state and that everyone has the power to control their own bodies, lives, and futures. Full stop.
