Kavanaugh called Roe "settled law," but he was nominated by President Donald Trump, who campaigned on appointing judges that would end legal abortion. Kavanaugh’s prior record indicates a more conservative stance on abortion access. He represents the fifth conservative justice to the liberals’ four.
There are different challenges to Roe currently in federal courts, which could be heard by the Supreme Court within a year.
If Roe is overturned, Pennsylvania legislators have a chance to pass bills severely restricting abortion or making it illegal, since Pennsylvania lacks abortion protections in its constitution. And many Republican legislators have track records that indicate a desire to do just that, having introduced several abortion-restriction bills over the last few years.
With control of both state House and Senate, the only thing stopping bills to end legal abortions in Pennsylvania is Gov. Tom Wolf, who has already vetoed abortion-restriction bills during his first term and has vowed to protect abortion access.
The easiest path forward for abortion opponents is to elect gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner, who has an anti-abortion stance.
Champion: State House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Marshall) has backed several abortion-restriction bills.
Opponent: Gov. Tom Wolf (D-York)
Integral candidates: Gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner (R-York)
“Senseless, elective abortions stand contrary to every principle that makes America great. And we need to come together to stop as many abortions as we can.” - Scott Wagner said in a statement of support at the March For Life rally in January.
By the Numbers: According to an August poll, 30 percent of Pennsylvanians want abortion legal in all circumstances, while 15 percent support making abortion illegal.
