"Zoom in: Trump and establishment Republicans have been downplaying abortion rights as a top national issue since the Supreme Court struck down the constitutional right to abortion in 2022 - a decision that antagonized many suburban swing voters. Last week, Hawley revealed to Axios' Stef Kight that he and his wife, Erin Hawley, a fellow constitutional lawyer, are launching a dark-money group called the Love Life Initiative."
"The group - which under the law doesn't have to disclose its donors - aims to support anti-abortion state ballot measures and fund TV ads, potentially during the Super Bowl. "We think that there needs to be a ... strong voice advocating for life," Hawley told Axios. Trump aides say they got no heads-up about Hawley's plans, and were steamed when they read our story."
"A second Trump adviser who's deeply involved in midterm strategy said the GOP needs to focus instead on "aggressive action focused on positive gains in the economy." "That alone will be the driving force behind the next election," the adviser said. "Picking a fight on an issue like abortion in a midterm is the height of asinine stupidity." A Hawley spokesperson declined to comment."
Abortion rights have become a lower-priority national issue for Trump and establishment Republicans since the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right in 2022, a change that alienated many suburban swing voters. Senator Josh Hawley and his wife launched a dark‑money group, the Love Life Initiative, to back anti‑abortion state ballot measures and fund TV ads, possibly during the Super Bowl. Trump aides were not informed and reacted angrily. Trump views abortion strategically, warning that strict laws alienate independent and suburban women voters, while some conservatives push for aggressive anti‑abortion advocacy. GOP strategy emphasizes economic messaging over abortion fights in midterms.
Read at Axios
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