Gov. Kathy Hochul's campaign signaled a continued effort on Tuesday to raise abortion-rights access in her bid for a full term this year, releasing a TV ad that touts plans for a constitutional amendment to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.
Republicans, meanwhile, contend the abortion issue won't be a major concern for voters in New York, a state that already has some of the strongest abortion laws on the books in the nation.
Nevertheless, the pending decision from the U.S. Supreme Court that could overturn Roe v. Wade has driven Democrats across the country and in New York to mobilize supporters in what is otherwise expected to be difficult political terrain for the party.
Hochul's ad calls governors "the last line of defense to protect abortion" if Roe is overturned and sends abortion policy back to state capitols.
"She’s working to amend the state constitution so that no matter how the Supreme Court rules in Washington, your right to a safe abortion is protected in New York," the ad states.
Driving the issue has been the leaked draft of a Supreme Court ruling that would overturn Roe v. Wade. It's not considered a final ruling, though advocates on both sides of the issue are bracing for a final ruling at the end of June or early July.
A debate over abortion has potentially upended the campaign season this year, with Democrats focusing on the potential of how rights could be impacted as a result. Opponents of abortion, meanwhile, are cautiously optimistic the ruling would lead to a cascade of measures outlawing the procedure in states across the country.
State lawmakers are considering a range of measures meant to guarantee access to abortion in New York in addition to the constitutional amendment that will likely be broad in scope to outline rights for New Yorkers. Hochul has previously announced $35 million in funding to expand and bolster security at facilities that provide abortions and other services.
On Tuesday, Democratic lawmakers and abortion-rights advocates called for the final passage of a package of abortion-rights measures including bills that are meant to help women who live out of state obtain an abortion in New York.
"Millions who live in states hostile to abortion acess will look to other states for that care," said state Assemblywoman Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas. "New York must be a leader at this moment and prepare for the impending need."
Republican candidate for governor Rob Astorino in an interview on Monday said abortion won't sway a broad set of voters in the state.
"It's not going anywhere in New York," he said, pointing to the existing abortion laws in New York. "But I would like a rational discussion on this. I mean, are there any restrictions the far left would accept? I haven't heard one from that. So I think we can have a logical and reasonable debtate."