Democrats look to November election to influence Indiana abortion laws

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Indiana Republicans hold a supermajority in the Statehouse, so Democrats know the only way to counter the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision on abortion is at the ballot box.

A contingent of Democratic voices — those in office, seeking office and once held office — embarked on a quick tour of Northwestern Indiana in the days following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. A stop on the tour brought the group, which included state Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette), to the Fresh Thyme Community Center in West Lafayette on Tuesday.

"Last week's unprecedented overturning of settled law, Roe. v. Wade, is a tremendous loss to women's rights," said Campbell, "their reproduction, reproductive and health care freedom."

Campbell was joined by Tom McDermott, running for U.S. Senate against Republican Sen. Todd Young; Myla Eldridge, vice-chairwoman of the Indiana Democratic Party and Marion County clerk; Ali Brown, Indianapolis City-County councilor, District 5; and Linda Lawson, former Indiana House minority leader.

Campbell, second-term West Lafayette state representative, said Republicans have indicated an aggressive approach to addressing abortion in the special session, originally set for July 6.

House Republicans announced Wednesday the special session, which will also address taxpayer refunds, will now be July 25.

More: Leaders representing Lafayette area react to Roe v. Wade, abortion ruling

What abortion restrictions will come out of the session is hard to say, Campbell added, but it could be that abortions would be limited to eight to 10 weeks or a complete ban without exceptions, other than perhaps in cases where the mother's life is in danger.

"We currently don't have any official confirmation of what that's going to look like," Campbell said.

Because Republicans have a supermajority — the Indiana GOP has a 39-11 margin in the Senate, 71-29 in the House — Democrats have few options for halting any legislation on abortion.

They cannot filibuster or flee the state to thwart a quorum, Campbell said, as Democrats in Indiana and other states have done in past.

"They already have a quorum," Campbell said Tuesday. Democrats could present amendments to GOP-led legislation, she added, but she didn't hold out much hope on that approach.

"Indiana Democrats have offered again and again legislation that would reduce the need for abortions or prevent maternal or infant deaths that year after year go unheard," Campbell said. "Access to affordable pre-natal care legislation has been denied even though a lack of maternal care has been determined to be the leading cause of maternal and infant deaths."

More: Protest draws largest Lafayette crowd since overturning of Roe v. Wade

The Democrats on Tuesday's tour, which had stopped in Hammond earlier in the day, look to November as a chance to stop the Republicans' push to restrict abortion in the state.

"No. 1 key is organize," Eldridge said, "and we are organizing with a great balance. So we have great candidates on the ballot to encourage and inspire voters to vote in the fall. I think it's important, too, before the November election to call their legislators and complain that they do not support banning abortions in the state. Also, I think we have to continue to encourage, not only voting, but register voters, right? To encourage them to vote early, because those are ballots just waiting to be counted on election day.

Election day is Nov. 8, and the deadline to register is Oct. 11, 2022.

Brown, an Indianapolis City-County councilor, took a more personal turn when addressing the possible ban on abortions in the Hoosier state, recalling her dire delivery of a now healthy 5-year-old son, Dylan.

"...I know how dangerous and difficult pregnancy can be," said Brown, who spoke first during the press conference. The councilor said during delivery, her medical team realized she had placenta abruption, when the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus and can limit the baby's oxygen and nutrients while in the womb. The mother can experience serious bleeding and even death.

"The heart beat of my baby disappeared and blood started pouring out of me," said Brown, who underwent an emergency C-section without medication or sedation. She needed to be revived, something she did not know for four hours after delivery.

"If I get pregnant again, there is a very good chance that I would die," Brown added. "That is what this means. It's life and death.

"Abortions are not going to stop just because they are made illegal. Women will seek them out. I will seek one out if I become pregnant again."

Deanna Watson is the executive editor at the Journal & Courier. Contact her at dwatson@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @deannawatson66.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Indiana abortion laws: Democrats look to November election