President Biden is set to deliver a speech in Tampa on Tuesday, where he is expected to condemn a six-week abortion ban soon to take effect in Florida. The President plans to blame former President Donald J. Trump for the enactment of this ban, as the Biden campaign has made abortion rights a top priority.
Polling data shows that voters trust Mr. Biden more on the issue of abortion compared to Mr. Trump. Despite Florida’s history of voting for Republicans, the Biden campaign remains optimistic about the state’s potential to be in play this year. In November, Floridians will vote on a ballot initiative that could guarantee access to abortion before viability, overturning the six-week ban.
The Biden campaign’s communications director, Michael Tyler, emphasized that there is an opportunity for them in Florida, contrary to the belief that Mr. Trump has the state secured. Democrats have been energized by recent events, such as an Arizona court upholding a near-total abortion ban, attributing these restrictions to decisions made by Supreme Court justices appointed by Mr. Trump.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed the six-week abortion ban last year, and the Florida Supreme Court recently upheld it. The ban is set to go into effect on May 1, just one week after President Biden’s speech in Tampa. Democratic former congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell has been advocating for abortion rights in Florida, urging the Biden campaign not to give up on the state.
Despite the challenges of competing in Florida, Democrats see abortion as a motivating factor for voters. The state has become increasingly Republican-leaning, with Mr. Trump and Governor DeSantis winning decisively in recent elections. The Biden campaign has not heavily invested in Florida compared to other battleground states but plans to take the state seriously.
Supporters of the constitutional amendment in Florida face the challenge of needing over 60 percent support for it to pass. Lauren Brenzel, director of the Yes on 4 group, emphasized the focus on the policy’s impact rather than electoral turnout. Republican state representative Alex Andrade dismissed the idea that abortion rights would benefit Democrats in Florida, calling their political apparatus clueless.
Opponents of the abortion measure, including Governor DeSantis, argue that it is too broad and could overturn existing state laws. The measure has sparked debate over parental consent and notification requirements for minors seeking abortions. Mr. Trump, a Florida resident, has not disclosed his stance on the abortion referendum.
As the abortion ban in Florida draws national attention, President Biden’s speech in Tampa is expected to address the issue and rally support for protecting abortion rights in the state. The outcome of the upcoming ballot initiative will be closely watched as Democrats seek to make their mark in a traditionally Republican stronghold.
