Stacey Abrams explains why she was ‘anti-abortion’ until she went to college

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“I’ve thought a lot about my faith. I was actually anti-abortion until I went to college. And there I met a friend who shares my religious values, but we started talking about reproductive care and abortion. And when I talk about that, it was an experience I had because it was able to give me a different perspective,” Abrams told CNN’s Dana Bash on “State of the Union” when asked how her Christian faith influences her thinking on the issue.

“And over the next few years, I really started thinking about what role should the legislature play, what role should the government play?” she continued. “This is health care. It’s about a woman’s right to control her own body. . . . And that, for me as a matter of faith, means I don’t impose those value systems on others. More importantly, I protect her rights, I protect her humanity and that must be my responsibility.”

Abrams is currently in her second campaign for governor of Georgia against GOP Gov. Brian Kemp, who narrowly defeated her in 2018. Abortion rights have become a key issue in Georgia this time around, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June. decision that helped pave the way for the state’s restrictive abortion ban to take effect.

Where state abortion bans are in the midst of legal challenges

The ban, signed by Kemp in 2019, bans abortions when a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which can be as early as six weeks into pregnancy – when many women don’t even know they’re pregnant. The law was later blocked by a federal district judge as unconstitutional. However, after Roe was overturned, a federal appeals court allowed it to take effect.

Asked by Bash how she would fight for abortion rights with a Republican-controlled state legislature, Abrams said such a scenario wouldn’t be the first time she’s had to interact with people of different political ideologies.

“I served 11 years in the legislature, seven years as the Democratic leader, as the minority leader, and I was extremely successful,” he said.

“I understand how to negotiate and how to navigate, but what I also understand is that the majority of Georgians don’t like this law — it’s an extreme prohibition, it’s dangerous, and it affects women across the spectrum,” she added. .

“Electing me as governor will be a sea change and a strong message to the rest of the legislature that they must do right by the women of Georgia,” Abrams said.

Abrams has previously called for federal legislation to restore Roe v. Wade, telling CNN in June that there is a need for a “legislative solution that restores constitutional protections to women, regardless of the state in which they live.”

Separately, Abrams was asked Sunday if she would support a second term for President Joe Biden.

“If he chooses to run again, I’m there to support him,” Abrams told Bash.

CNN’s Chandelis Duster and Sonnet Swire contributed to this report.

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