Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Katie Hobbs released the following statement in response to the reported U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which would trigger a 1901 Arizona law criminalizing all abortions and requiring prison time. As Republicans trip over themselves debating whether Gov. Ducey’s recent 15-week ban or the pre-Roe statute will be the law of the land, Katie pledged to do everything in her power to defend reproductive freedom:

“Access to safe and legal abortion is a constitutionally protected freedom set by nearly 50 years of precedent. The reported SCOTUS decision is an assault on reproductive freedom, and a giant step back in the fight for equality for women in Arizona and across the country. If Roe is struck down — and it is very likely it will be — Arizona will be the state most adversely affected by this extreme decision. 

“Here in Arizona, a law from 1901 which criminalizes anyone who administers an abortion and effectively bans all abortion is still on the books, and would immediately go into effect the moment Roe is overturned. Make no mistake — this law won’t stop women from seeking reproductive health care options; it will only force pregnant women to find dangerous alternatives. I am calling on Governor Ducey to immediately repeal this draconian law. 

“The overwhelming majority of Arizonans support the right to choose, and I stand in solidarity with them. That’s why, when elected, I will do everything in my power to protect Arizonans’ fundamental freedoms and access to reproductive health care, and use my veto power to strike down anti-abortion measures that come across my desk.”

Original source can be found here.