Arizona
Donald Trump pushes the panic button on abortion in Arizona
Opinion: It’s not surprising that Trump would pivot on abortion. Now he’s demanding that his most loyal supporters do a U-turn on their principles, too.
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On Monday, Donald Trump said he wouldn’t support a federal abortion ban, that it should be up to each state to decide where to draw the line.
On Wednesday, Trump said our particular state — Arizona — “went too far” in returning to a 19th century near-total ban on abortions.
And on Friday, Trump abandoned his states’ rights spiel altogether.
He hit the panic button and called for an immediate repeal of Arizona’s 1864 abortion ban — the one that our GOP-run Legislature intentionally left on the books in early 2022 in the hope that Roe v. Wade would be overturned.
“The Governor and the Arizona Legislature must use HEART, COMMON SENSE and ACT IMMEDIATELY to remedy what has happened … ,” Trump said on Friday in a post on Truth Social. “Arizona Legislature, please act as fast as possible!”
Trump wants abortion hard-liners to change
It’s not surprising that Trump would pivot on the unborn. He’s been on most every side of the abortion issue since 1999 when he pronounced himself pro-choice.
Now, however, he’s calling on his most loyal supporters to do a U-turn on their principles, too. This, to ensure that Arizona, a vital battleground state, doesn’t slip through his — or their — fingers.
That may be an easy call for someone like Kari Lake.
She’s been one of the state’s most ardent pro-life crusaders, yet this week she was calling for abortion to be reinstated before the ink was even dry on the Arizona Supreme Court ruling that revived the 1864 ban.
Several vulnerable Republican legislators — Sens. Shawnna Bolick and T.J. Shope and Rep. Matt Gress — have joined the call for a repeal.
But how do you convince the hard right Republicans who control the Arizona Legislature to abandon their beliefs on such a fundamental level?
That’s not so easy for the Arizona Legislature
Or do they simply hope that Democrats will bail them out by reinstituting abortion for them?
We all saw what happened on Wednesday when Gress tried to engineer a quick repeal of the 19th century ban on the House floor.
Republicans ran like the wind, quickly adjourning so they wouldn’t have to take a position.
In fact, though, they’ve already taken a position. Every Republican in the Legislature touts himself or herself as “100% pro life.”
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If they now repeal the 1864 law about to take effect, they make a mockery of their own belief that life begins at conception — that all abortion is murder.
If they put a competing measure on the November ballot, proposing that abortion be legal for up to 15 weeks, they send a message that “the ultimate sin,” as Lake calls it, is OK after all.
In 2022, 92% of abortions in Arizona occurred before 13 weeks, according to the state Department of Health Services. None occurred after 21 weeks.
‘Unacceptable,’ Trump’s strongest supporters say
Now comes Trump — the president who takes credit for the demise of Roe v. Wade — asking pro-life Republicans to allow those abortions to continue. The hypocrisy is stunning.
Some of Trump’s strongest supporters are members of the Legislature’s hard right Arizona Freedom Caucus. They already were dismayed by the calls for repeal from Lake and other vulnerable Republicans.
“Sadly, it seems that some are choosing to reject the fundamental, core principle of protecting life,” the Freedom Caucus said on Tuesday. “Some have chosen instead to jump on the bandwagon to legalize unrestricted abortions for the first 15 weeks of pregnancy — a position that would permit 95% of all existing abortions to continue.
“This is unacceptable, morally wrong, and abrasively out of step with the central tenants of the Republican Party Platform and Republican voters. Murdering children is not a policy disagreement.”
Except, apparently, when it jeopardizes Trump’s reelection chances and their own control of the Legislature?
Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @LaurieRoberts.
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PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Former Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely has switched his congressional campaign from the East Valley to Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, joining a crowded Republican primary in Scottsdale.
The move comes after President Donald Trump endorsed former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb in the Fifth Congressional District last month, sending Feely a message to run in a different district.
“After nearly a quarter century in professional football, I know that no player is more important than the well-being of the team,” Feely said in a statement released Friday. “In this moment, the best way I can serve our GOP team is to defend this crucial Republican seat.”
Feely joins businessman John Trobough, state lawmaker Joseph Chaplik and current Arizona Republican Party leader Gina Swoboda in the GOP primary. Swoboda has already secured Trump’s endorsement.
Political experts believe Feely’s move, following Trump’s advice, could lead to another situation where Trump endorses two candidates in the same race.
The First Congressional District seat opened when Congressman David Schweikert announced his run for governor. Republicans view the district as a must-win seat.
The winner of the Republican primary will face the winner of the Democratic primary in the general election. The district is one of two swing districts in Arizona that could determine which party controls the House.
Trump has previously endorsed multiple candidates in Arizona Republican primaries, including Rep. Andy Biggs and businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson in the governor’s race.
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The blowout victory not only highlighted Arizona’s depth but also provided several standout individual performances that showed important signs of growth headed towards conference play. Here’s a closer look at the top three Wildcats from the game and how they powered the win.
1. Tanyuel Welch — Team Leader With a Big Night (18 Points)
Guard Tanyuel Welch led all scorers for Arizona with 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting a highly efficient performance that helped set the tone early and keep the Wildcats well ahead of Bellarmine throughout. Welch also knocked down 4-of-4 free throws, showing composure at the line, and contributed six rebounds and three assists while playing 24 minutes.
Impressively, she did all of this with just one turnover and one foul, illustrating her control and decision-making in a high-tempo game. Welch’s scoring came at all levels; attacking the rim, knocking down mid-range looks, and finishing in transition and her all-around playmaking and rebounding added yet another layer to a complete offensive night.
2. Noelani Cornfield — Playmaker and Versatile Contributor
Senior point guard Noelani Cornfield had another impactful outing in the win over Bellarmine. Cornfield recorded 15 points, dished out eight assists, grabbed two rebounds, and added five steals in just 25 minutes of action. Her stat line shows how she orchestrated the Wildcats’ offense while also creating havoc defensively.
Cornfield’s ability to distribute the ball was on full display as Arizona finished with 24 assists on 44 made field goals, a testament to their ball movement and unselfish play. Her high assist total helped keep the offense flowing and ensured that multiple Wildcats got open, high-percentage shots throughout the afternoon. Her defensive energy also led to easy transition opportunities, further fueling Arizona’s balanced scoring output.
3. Achol Magot — Efficient Frontcourt Scorer Off the Bench
Center Achol Magot delivered a career-high 10 points off the bench in just 14 minutes, going 4-of-6 from the field and 2-of-3 from the free-throw line. Her efficient scoring and physical presence inside helped complement Arizona’s guard play and gave the Wildcats consistent production inside the paint. Magot also contributed five rebounds and one assist while battling through foul trouble, showing a strong impact in limited minutes.
Her ability to score efficiently around the basket and contribute on the glass was an important part of Arizona’s depth, showing through. In a game where Arizona had six double-digit scorers, Magot’s contribution sealed her place as one of the night’s top performers.
Arizona Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs leads Republican U.S. Congressman Andy Biggs by double digits in the state’s gubernatorial race, shows a new poll conducted by NextGen Polling, which identifies as “right of center.”
Newsweek reached out to Biggs’ campaign via email on Thursday for comment.
Why It Matters
As a pivotal battleground state, Arizona’s political trends can potentially foreshadow national outcomes, with shifting demographics and voter priorities influencing both parties’ strategies.
The results could possibly play a critical role in the broader national landscape ahead of the 2026 midterms.
What To Know
In the poll, Hobbs captures 51 percent of the potential vote compared to Biggs’ 32 percent, with 7 percent of respondents choosing “other” and 9 percent undecided.
The survey was taken from December 15 to December 17 among 2,725 likely voters, with a 1.9 percent margin of error, according to NextGen’s press release.
The poll also shows that Biggs has 64 percent of the Republican vote while Hobbs carries 90 percent of Democrats’ support. Sixty-two percent of independents back Hobbs while 19 percent favor Biggs.
Against Republican candidate Karrin Taylor Robson, Hobbs has 51 percent of the potential vote compared to Robson’s 30 percent.
What People Are Saying
Gregg Pekau, managing partner at NextGenP, in the poll: “This is a very telling, and honestly shocking, survey that far exceeds anything we’ve seen regarding the 2026 general election for Governor. This should be a wakeup call to Republicans that we must unify and connect with voters beyond our party to win the Governor race in 2026. The good news is that there remains significant time to engage independent voters and rebuild support within the party’s base.”
Biggs, on X earlier this month: “Under Katie Hobbs, our state has seen:
-Job growth plummet
-Energy and gas prices skyrocket
-A blatant disregard for public safety and keeping our border secure
If we want to grow and keep people here, Arizona needs a Governor with a vision, not vetoes.”
Hobbs, on X in October: “Arizona: I’m running for re-election. Your stories of hard work, hope, and determination inspire me to keep moving our state forward. I’m ready to serve you for 4 more years and always put your family first. Let’s get to work.”
What Happens Next
As both parties intensify their field efforts and campaign spending, Arizona is expected to remain at the center of national attention in the 2026 midterm cycle.
Early survey leads may shift as campaigns develop and voters gain more information. Both major parties are expected to closely monitor voter attitudes as Arizona’s political landscape continues to evolve in the run-up to the elections.
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