A coalition of reproductive rights organizations is launching a $15 million ad campaign supporting abortion rights as Arizona faces a key ballot measure on the issue this fall.
Arizona’s proposed Abortion Access state constitutional amendment, known as Proposition 139, would create a “fundamental right” to receive abortion care until fetal viability (or about the 24th week of pregnancy). the care professional decides it is necessary to “preserve the life or physical or mental health of the pregnant person”.
Under current Arizona law, abortion is legal until the 15th week of pregnancy, unless it is necessary to save the woman’s life or “where delay would create a risk of serious and irreversible impairment of an essential bodily function.” Current abortion law has no exceptions after 15 weeks in cases of rape or consanguinity.
Arizona’s Abortion Access ad blitz includes broadcast, streaming, radio and mail ads that will cover the state through Election Day — and early voting begins in the state on October 9. The group spent about $2 million on advertising. The last two months, according to tracking firm AdImpact.
New advertisement of the group presents the testimony of Ashley Ortiz and Vance Rogers, a couple who were denied an abortion under the state’s current law.
“The doctors told us our baby wouldn’t survive,” Rogers says in the ad. “Then those doctors told me that because of Arizona’s abortion ban, I wasn’t allowed to help them,” says Ortiz.
In an interview, Ortiz said she and Rodgers hoped to have their first child before complications plagued the pregnancy. She said of the complication she faced at 20 weeks pregnant: “The baby’s leg was in my womb and usually it’s a point of no return.”
“The options we were given were to wait and be hospitalized and wait for her to be fully born and it would be a stillbirth or I got so sick they had to help me,” she said.
“It was really hard and very scary,” she said. Days passed and “on Christmas Eve, the baby’s heart stopped.” Finally, abortion was allowed on Christmas Day. “It was very difficult and difficult and quite a terrifying experience for me and my husband.”
Arizona for Abortion hopes a 30-second testimonial ad can reverse the consequences of the state’s abortion ban. “I think stories are our most compelling way to reach voters,” said Chris Love, a spokesman for the group.
Love said he hopes the $15 million ad buy will “cover the entire campaign,” but did not rule out another ad and new investment by the organization before Election Day.
The ad is Abortion Access for Arizona’s second spot on the Arizona airwaves. First ad It launched in September: “Imagine lying here, in fear and pain, waiting, waiting, as doctors risked prison to help you. This is the reality of Arizona’s abortion ban,” he said. “This forces women who are pregnant or have complications to wait until emergency medical care.”
Cindy Dahlgren of the Arizona Policy Center, spokeswoman for the It Goes Too Far campaign, which opposes the ballot measure, took issue with Arizona’s first Abortion Access ad at a press conference in Phoenix on Sept. 19.
“Their ad is telling voters there is a ban on abortion, which is not true. Abortion is legal in Arizona up to 15 weeks and beyond, for medical emergencies, any medical emergency,” Dahlgren said.
“As someone who has had two miscarriages, I think this is a very cruel lie,” she said.
Love defended the ad and the Arizona for Abortion Access campaign against Dahlgren’s criticism, calling the language in the ad “absolutely true.”
“We’re being very honest about what the status of the law is and how Prop 139 will provide more protections for pregnant patients,” he said.