In a passionate speech before 300-plus supporters at a reproductive rights rally in Concord on Wednesday, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff urged supporters to elect his wife, Vice President Kamala Harris, as the next President of the United States as a means to safeguard reproductive care in New Hampshire and the nation.
Emhoff decried the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, calling it an “extreme” and “devastating” move that has had far-reaching consequences.
“This is not just about abortion – they want to ban abortion, that’s clear. But it’s much greater than that,” Emhoff said.
He described how the decision has limited access to basic medical care in states with abortion bans, as doctors face criminal liability for providing certain procedures. Emhoff emphasized the importance of the Supreme Court, noting that the justices appointed by former President Trump “had a mission” to overturn Roe v. Wade, despite telling his Harris otherwise during her time on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
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The Second Gentleman urged the crowd to work hard over the remaining 97 days until the election to elect Harris as president, so she can sign legislation to protect reproductive rights. He said Harris is “ready to lead” and is a “fighter” who will be a strong commander-in-chief and leader on the world stage.
The high-energy crowd was a manifestation of the energy being seen nationwide after the recent change at the top of the Democratic ticket.
“We really have a stark choice between a life of freedom, fundamental rights, progress, moving forward a place for all of us, and like I said, a hellscape,” Emhoff said.
The speech came on the same day Republican gubernatorial candidate Kelly Ayotte released an ad attempting to rebrand her own record on abortion – including a vote for a national abortion ban – which has been seen as a leading issue among New Hampshire voters and a root cause for Republican under-performance in the 2022 midterms in the state.
It also comes after years of attacks on reproductive rights in the state by Republicans, which include a 15 day abortion ban proposed by House Republicans earlier this year. A majority of House Republicans also voted for a 6 week abortion ban as recently as last year.
