STATEMENT FROM DANIEL VALENZUELA ON THE REPEAL OF THE 1864 TERRITORIAL ABORTION BAN

Thanks to Governor Hobbs, the entire Democratic Caucus, and the five Republican legislators who collaborated to repeal Arizona's draconian 1864 territorial abortion law.

Just over three weeks ago, I urged the Arizona Legislature to overturn this oppressive ban and called on my opponents in this race for Maricopa County Supervisor, District 3, to echo this demand. Regrettably, their response was a resounding silence. In times when the rights and lives of women hang in the balance, silence is unacceptable. This is not the mark of true leadership. The people of Maricopa County, and indeed all Arizonans, deserve better.

Furthermore, women across our state deserve more than the mere repeal of an antiquated law that predates statehood by nearly half a century. 

The citizens of Arizona should not be subject to such extreme and divisive politics, now and in the future. It is time for all Arizonans, regardless of party affiliation, to unite and champion the rights of women to access essential, basic, and life-saving medical care. We must rise above the fray of extreme anti-choice policies.

I urge you to join me in supporting the Arizona constitutional amendment on abortion this November. This amendment will ensure that personal health decisions are made by patients, their families, and their healthcare providers—not by politicians, now and even 159 years into the future.