After a bruising night for the Republican Party in statewide elections across the country, anti-abortion organizations are pointing to GOP messaging about the issue as the reason for defeat.
Several anti-abortion activist groups, and even Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), whose home state of Ohio was the focal point of the Democratic abortion wins Tuesday night, are now dissecting Republicans' messaging about abortion in the aftermath of the 2023 off-year elections.
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In a memo obtained by the Washington Examiner, one of the leading anti-abortion organizations in America, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America revealed its analysis of the statewide elections. "It is long past due for the GOP to define where it stands on the issue nationally. It should not be difficult: the GOP must align itself with the national consensus that already exists, which is limiting late-term abortion when the child can feel excruciating pain," wrote President Marjorie Dannenfelser on Wednesday.
"We strongly agree that there was a messaging issue," Students for Life Vice President of Media and Policy Kristi Hamrick said.
According to Dannenfelser, the Republican Party must contrast the Democratic abortion stance with "clarity and compassion."
Vance also pointed to messaging as partially to blame for the success of Ohio's Issue 1, which enshrined the right to an abortion into the state Constitution. "You can criticize the propaganda effort on the other side for lying to people about these issues or confusing the populace, but it suggests we have to do a much better job of persuasion," the senator wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. He added that the Republican Party needs to engage in "sustained, years-long efforts to show the heart of the pro-life movement" and not simply cut commercials on it.
"All this proves is that the other side is better at lying than we are at telling the truth," said Frank Pavone, Priests for Life national director, of the election results. He noted that numerous polls suggest widespread support for some limitations on the procedure, while very few support unfettered abortion.
In her reaction to the election results, anti-abortion rights group Live Action founder and President Lila Rose claimed the GOP has to "adapt to win." For Rose, this means specifically focusing on voter education. "Human life is valuable and must be legally protected. Human life begins at fertilization," she wrote on X.
The adoption of Ohio's Issue 1 was the most blatantly motivated by the issue of abortion, but many also attributed Democratic wins in the gubernatorial race in Kentucky and the statewide races in Virginia to it.
Kentucky-based Republican strategist Scott Jennings said the real issue in Kentucky about abortion was the trigger law that went into effect after Roe v. Wade was overturned. He noted this law bans abortions in the state with no exceptions for rape or incest.
"Exceptions are important to people. Even people who consider themselves to be strongly pro-life generally want the exceptions," he said.
Vance echoed the need for exceptions in legislation limiting abortion. "Give people a choice between abortion restrictions very early in pregnancy with exceptions, or the pro-choice position, and the pro-life view has a fighting chance. Give people a heartbeat bill with no exceptions, and it loses 65-35," he said.
Additionally, anti-abortion rights advocates pointed to money as a significant issue. SBA Pro-Life America called on the Republican Party to "put real advertising dollars behind" their message in order to take on Democrats. "Otherwise, the message is drowned out in deceptions and lies."
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Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley struck a similar tone about abortion on Wednesday during the third Republican National Committee primary debate, calling for Congress to come to a consensus when pursuing a federal law.
"Let's agree on how we can ban late-term abortions," Haley said. She added that adoption should be encouraged and contraception should be available, saying, "Let's make sure that none of these state laws put a woman in jail or give her the death penalty for getting an abortion."