The Special Election in Alabama’s House District 10: A Bellwether for Reproductive Rights and Abortion Politics
House District 10 in Alabama, located just outside downtown Huntsville, has been thrust into the national spotlight after a Democratic candidate, Marilyn Lands, made reproductive rights a central issue in her campaign for the special election taking place on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. This district is significant due to its unique characteristics and the current political climate surrounding reproductive rights in the US.
Marilyn Lands, a Democrat, aims to capitalize on voters’ concerns about reproductive rights, particularly in light of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision that overturned Roe v. Wade and made Alabama one of the dozen states with nearly absolute abortion bans, without exceptions for rape or incest. Lands, who lost by nearly 7 points in her previous campaign, is eager to test the strength of this issue in a red state with some of the most restrictive laws.
In her campaign ads, Lands shares her personal story and that of Alyssa Gonzales, who had to travel out of state for an abortion after learning her fetus tested positive for severe genetic conditions. Two decades ago, Lands herself was able to receive in-state treatment under Roe v. Wade. However, the Dobbs decision has changed the landscape, forcing Gonzales to rely on an abortion fund for travel assistance.
Republican Teddy Powell, the two-term Madison city councilmember running against Lands, emphasizes local issues such as infrastructure spending and economic development. Despite his focus on these topics, national implications could arise if Lands wins the election, potentially signaling a backlash against restrictive abortion laws and providing Democrats with valuable data points for upcoming elections.
Although Republicans hold supermajorities in both chambers of the Alabama legislature, Powell’s campaign believes voters will prioritize local concerns over sending a message to Montgomery regarding abortion. If Lands manages to win the race, it may serve as an indicator of how reproductive rights resonate with voters and influence election outcomes in various states.
House District 10, a suburban seat home to the Redstone Arsenal US Army base and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, has seen voters embrace both Republicans and Democrats in recent years. This competitive district was previously held by Republican David Cole, who resigned after pleading guilty to committing election fraud by voting in the district he represented despite not living there.
Recently, the Alabama state Supreme Court ruling declared that frozen embryos stored in a lab are considered people, causing several clinics to halt IVF treatments due to potential liability issues. The legislature responded swiftly by passing legislation to shield providers and patients from criminal or civil liability for damages related to embryos.
Abortion rights advocates argue that the legal performance over IVF is just one consequence of restrictive abortion laws, which can impact a range of reproductive health issues on both national and state levels. On the national stage, Democrats have targeted Republicans in purple districts who co-sponsored the US House version of the Life at Conception Act.
The DLCC (Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee), which aims to elect Democrats to statehouse seats, has identified Lands as a “spotlight” candidate and provided her campaign with fundraising and organizational support. The RSLC (Republican State Leadership Committee), which helps elect GOP candidates in state level races, has reportedly been in contact with Powell’s campaign but did not respond to requests for comment.
Powell’s campaign maintains that voters will not base their decisions solely on abortion and that this is not a one-issue district. While Lands acknowledges the importance of multiple issues, she believes reproductive rights will be a significant motivator for voters in this election.
Both campaigns are focused on local issues, with Lands addressing health care and education alongside reproductive rights, while Powell emphasizes education, infrastructure, and economic development. The outcome of this election will ultimately depend on which candidate’s supporters turn out to vote.
Despite the importance of this special election, it is essential to remember that low voter turnout is expected, and the result will come down to which side manages to galvanize their supporters. Both campaigns have been actively canvassing ahead of the vote on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
Anthony Franks, a voter in the district, plans to support Powell due to his conservative values and believes that Democrats’ strategy of running on abortion is flawed. Teresa Terrell, another voter, intends to vote for Lands due to her focus on women’s issues and direct approach to discussing reproductive rights.
Ultimately, the special election in Alabama’s House District 10 serves as a significant bellwether for the broader political climate surrounding reproductive rights and abortion politics in the US. The outcome of this election could have implications for future elections, particularly as the debate over reproductive rights continues to evolve.