How your vote could sink AZ’s abortion law

Angry with Republican Gov. Doug Ducey because he signed legislation criminalizing abortion in Arizona after 15 weeks of pregnancy?

There’s something you can actually do about it — if you’re a Maricopa County voter.

Turns out Julie Gunnigle, the only Democrat vying to become the next county attorney, already vowed not to enforce that law if elected in November.

“The stakes just got so much higher ... #SB1164,’’ she tweeted on Wednesday after Ducey signed Senate Billl 1164 into law.

Under the law, doctors could face prosecution and revocation or suspension of their medical licenses if they perform abortions after 15 weeks, in most circumstances. Women seeking an abortion are exempt from prosecution.

A few days ago, Gunnigle made it clear in an interview with AZ Family that she wouldn’t enforce the law, saying, “No person should ever be made a criminal because of reproductive health care choices, including abortion.”

That stance no doubt will be top of mind come the election Nov. 8. But before that, Republicans will fight it out in the Aug. 2 primary.

Five Republicans and a libertarian are racing to collect the necessary signatures to get on the ballot after County Attorney Allister Adel resigned.

The Republican candidates are:

Anni Foster, Ducey’s general counsel.

Gina Godbehere, Goodyear’s municipal prosecutor.

Rachel Mitchell, a top Maricopa County prosecutor.

Austin Woods, son of the late former Attorney General Grant Woods.

Stephen Walker, who worked in the County Attorney's Office between 2008 and 2019.

Libertarian Michael Kielsky also wants the job.

Mitchell told AZ Family that the county attorney “is taking an oath to uphold the law whether I agree with it or not.”

The right to choose whether to end a pregnancy shouldn’t be left up to local prosecutors. But Ducey is now forcing Maricopa County voters to make that choice.