Kamala Harris/ abortion rights/ reproductive health/ Texas abortion ban/ Roe v. Wade/ sepsis/ campaign ad/ Donald Trump/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Kamala Harris’ latest campaign ads spotlight the dangers of abortion bans, featuring the story of Ondrea, a Texas woman who developed sepsis after being denied medical care following a miscarriage. The ads, part of Harris’ final campaign push, emphasize the impact of restrictive abortion laws since Roe v. Wade was overturned and target swing voters.
Harris Campaign Ad Highlights Texas Woman’s Medical Ordeal – Quick Look
- Kamala Harris’ new campaign ad features Ondrea, a Texas woman who developed life-threatening sepsis after being denied abortion care due to the state’s restrictive abortion laws.
- Ondrea’s story is part of a broader Harris campaign effort to emphasize the risks to women’s health since the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
- The ad blames former President Trump for the situation, as his appointed Supreme Court justices played a role in ending federal abortion protections.
- Harris’ campaign is focusing on reproductive health and rights as key issues leading into the 2024 election.
Harris Ad Highlights Texas Woman’s Medical Ordeal Under Abortion Ban
Deep Look
In a striking new campaign ad, Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign tells the story of a Texas woman named Ondrea, who suffered life-threatening sepsis after being denied medical care for a miscarriage due to the state’s strict abortion ban. The ad, which is part of Harris’ broader push to highlight the impact of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, underscores the growing risks to women’s health in states with restrictive abortion laws.
Ondrea, identified only by her first name, shares how she was excited to be pregnant with a baby girl, only to face tragedy when her water broke too early, and doctors informed her the baby would not survive. Despite this prognosis, she was denied an abortion, a decision that led to her developing a dangerous infection known as sepsis.
“I was in the worst pain of my life,” Ondrea says in the ad, with images of her and her husband in their living room, standing near a framed photo of their baby’s ultrasound. Ondrea points to the life-threatening complications she endured due to the abortion ban, which has now left her uncertain if she will ever be able to have children again.
A Devastating Impact of Abortion Bans
The ad is a powerful reminder of how abortion restrictions are affecting women beyond those seeking to terminate pregnancies by choice. Ondrea’s case highlights that in 14 states with strict abortion bans, even women who experience complications like miscarriages are often denied timely medical care, which can lead to life-threatening situations.
Ondrea’s story directly links her ordeal to former President Donald Trump, whose appointment of three conservative Supreme Court justices paved the way for the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. “It almost cost me my life, and it will affect me for the rest of my life,” she says, making clear the personal toll the laws have taken.
Harris Focuses on Reproductive Health
Kamala Harris has consistently emphasized reproductive rights and health care throughout her campaign. In Texas, where one of the strictest abortion bans is in effect, Harris is making reproductive health a central focus of her message. She plans to hold an event in the state on Friday, where she will meet with women like Ondrea who have been directly affected by abortion restrictions.
Democrats initially focused on the limitations to end unwanted pregnancies after Roe’s fall, but as cases like Ondrea’s emerge, they are broadening their focus to include the broader implications for women’s health. The same medical procedures used for abortions are often needed to treat miscarriages, and doctors in many states are hesitant to act until a woman’s life is at risk, fearing criminal prosecution.
Harris’ campaign is using this issue as a rallying cry for voters, arguing that reproductive rights and access to safe medical care are on the line in this election. Democrats warn that if Trump wins again, abortion restrictions will grow even stricter, with further implications for women’s health and rights across the country.
Ondrea’s Husband Speaks Out
In another ad aimed at male voters, Ondrea’s husband Cesar speaks about their lost opportunity to become parents. “I would love to hear a baby crying at night,” Cesar says. “Now we may never get to be pregnant again.” His emotional plea highlights the broader impact of abortion bans on families and their future.
The Harris campaign believes that emphasizing the real-life consequences of these laws will resonate with a broad swath of voters. In her town hall and upcoming campaign stops, Harris will continue to draw attention to reproductive rights, hoping it will motivate voters as Election Day approaches.
A Clear Divide on Reproductive Rights
Harris’ campaign sees the issue of reproductive rights as a key differentiator from Donald Trump, whose stance on abortion has been inconsistent. Trump has frequently shifted his messaging, offering vague or contradictory answers about his position. This has become a vulnerability for Republicans as abortion rights remain popular with the broader electorate.
The Harris campaign quickly responded to Trump’s remarks, using clips of him talking about abortion in the new ads. “First of all, I am the one that got rid of Roe v. Wade,” Trump says in one audio clip. In another, Trump is heard responding to a question about punishment for abortion by saying, “There has to be some punishment.”
A Major Issue for the 2024 Election
The ads come at a time when polls indicate that reproductive rights are still a major issue for many voters. A July survey from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 6 in 10 Americans believe their state should allow legal abortions if a person does not want to be pregnant for any reason.
By focusing on the tangible consequences of abortion restrictions, Harris’ campaign hopes to galvanize support and emphasize that women’s health and reproductive rights will be key issues in the upcoming election. With the election approaching, Ondrea’s story serves as a stark reminder of what’s at stake for millions of women across the U.S.
