Wisconsin Democrats seek to fight abortion bans, two years after Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe vs. Wade

On the second anniversary of a U.S. Supreme Court decision reversing the Roe vs. Wade ruling on abortion, Democrats continue to fight for keeping women’s rights to have abortions.

The Wisconsin Democratic Party is calling on voters to support abortion rights, with state party chair Ben Wikler saying former President Donald Trump often takes credit for the reversal, because of the high court justices he appointed before the Dobbs ruling in 2022.

“This year, Trump announced that he personally endorses these bans,” Wikler said Monday during a Wisconsin news conference. “He said that states should decide, and they can decide whatever they want, no matter how extreme.”

Wikler argued that Wisconsin residents are “one bad election away” from further bans on abortion.

Also taking part in the conference was eastern Wisconsin OB-GYN Kristin Lyerly, who is running for U.S. House in Wisconsin’s 8th District, which includes Appleton and Green Bay area.

Dr. Lyerly said consumer concerns and the cost of living are important issues in the election, but she said voters also want access to health care.

“People are concerned about the cost of gas and groceries,” Lyerly said. “They do talk about the border. But the fundamental thing that they are concerned about is the ability to make their own personal health care decisions.”

She added that it’s an “existential” issue for those patients.

During the conference, Lyerly noted “political interference” in doctors’ exam rooms is making it harder for many patients to seek medical care in the state.