Political Rewind: New Abortion Law Shifts The Legal Landscape, But Could It Energize Opposition?

Caption

A security guard opens the door to the Whole Women's Health Clinic in Fort Worth, Texas, Wednesday, on Sept. 1, 2021. A new Texas law bans abortions as early as six weeks after conception.

Credit: LM Otero, AP

Tuesday on Political Rewind: Legal experts are examining the Supreme Court’s refusal to act on a Texas abortion law. What does the move mean for the future of abortion access in states across the country? And how will abortion rights play out in 2022 election battles?

"Roe v. Wade, in fact, has been effectively overturned, even if it hasn't," Dr. Amy Steigerwalt said. "It has in a practical sense, because the abortion providers are worried that they're going to be sued. And the court has said, 'We're not going to stop this law from being put into effect and stopping those lawsuits before they happen.'"

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump formally endorsed two Georgia Republicans: Herschel Walker for the U.S. Senate and state Sen. Burt Jones for lieutenant governor. Both men are longtime allies of the president, and his endorsement of the pair should come as no surprise.

Also: Clarke County stands as a telling example of the affects of gerrymandering on political representation in state and congressional office.

The county, home to Athens, Ga., voted for Joe Biden by 70% in the 2020 election. But two of the county's three state representatives and both its members of the U.S. House are Republicans. Our panel discusses this example of political districting as state lawmakers prepare to redraw Georgia's boundaries later in the fall.

Panelists:

Donna Lowry — Host, GPB’s Lawmakers

Dr. Amy Steigerwalt — Professor of political science, Georgia State University

Dr. Charles Bullock — Professor of political science, University of Georgia

Dr. Kurt Young — Professor of political science, Clark Atlanta University