Highlights:
January 22, 2023: VIDEO: Sanders Said Arkansas’ Abortion Ban Needed To Be “The Standard” For The Rest Of The Country. According to Arkansas March for Life 2023 via YouTube, “SANDERS: As long as I’m governor over the next eight years, I will make sure that Arkansas continues to be the most pro-life state in the country. You know, I get attacked for a lot of things. And frankly, I don’t care. And there is nothing I am more proud to stand for, to fight for, and nothing I am more unapologetic about, that being pro-life and making sure I am doing everything, every single day to protect the most vulnerable among us. But like Andy said, our work is far from over. We are, frankly, just getting started. We need to make sure that this happens all over the country. Let Arkansas set the standard. Let us be the example of how to do it right.” [Arkansas March for Life 2023 via YouTube, 1/22/23]
As Sanders Was Speaking, Abortion Was Nearly Completely Banned In Arkansas. According to ABC News, “Abortion is nearly completely banned in Arkansas due to a trigger law that went into effect following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The Arkansas Human Life Protection Act, or Act 180, makes performing or attempting to perform an abortion a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. The only exception is if the mother's life is in danger.” [ABC News, 6/22/23]
Sanders Said Arkansas Ranked As America’s Most Anti-Abortion State Four Years In A Row And “We’ll Make Sure We Keep It That Way.” According to a tweet from Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ personal Twitter account, “Proud to join @AR_RTL’s March for Life in Little Rock yesterday. Arkansas has been ranked the most pro-life state in the country four years in a row. Under my administration, we’ll make sure we keep it that way.” [Twitter - @SarahHuckabee, 1/22/24]
VIDEO: Sanders Said She Had Not Seen Any Abortion Ballot Initiative That She Would Support. According to an interview with Sanders on CBS’ “Face the Nation” via YouTube “[BRENNAN] The law bans abortions except to save the mother's life in a medical emergency, no exceptions for rape or incest. Your Attorney General has twice recently rejected ballot measures that would repeal the ban and give a limited right to abortion up until 18 weeks of conception. As Governor, are you open to any ballot initiative? [SANDERS] Look, I'm proud of the fact that Arkansas is one of the most pro-life states in the country. I'm unapologetically pro-life, I believe that we are a culture that protects life, that values life. I think that's who we are as a country. And I'll continue to support those measures. [BRENNAN] But- I know those are your personal convictions, but would you seek the opinion of your constituents on this? I mean, some of the Attorney General's objections. One of the things he objected to was replacing the word conception with fertilization. And another one, it was narrowing a medical emergency to threat to physical health and defining it just as that. I mean, they seem to be tweaks. On the premise though, would you be open to seeking the opinion of your constituents in a ballot initiative? [SANDERS] Arkansas overwhelmingly pro-life state, I'm proud of that fact and proud of where we are. And we'll continue to push for things that I think protect all innocent human life. It's why we haven't just focused on pro-life legislation. But we've also done things in the foster and adoption care space. It's why I've spent so much time focusing on education, empowering every single Arkansan to have a great quality of life. We are looking at every aspect and making sure that we're doing what we can to protect and value life at every stage here in the state of Arkansas. [BRENNAN] So, it sounds like a no? You wouldn't want to put it on a ballot? [SANDERS] I'm not going to put a blanket on anything that could come forward. But as it stands right now, I haven't seen anything that I would be supportive of.” [Sanders’ appearance on “Face the Nation” via YouTube, 1/21/24]
A Spokesperson For Governor Sanders Criticized A Constitutional Amendment Proposal That Would Have Allowed Abortions Within 18 Weeks Of Conception Or In Cases Of Rape, Incest, Health of The Mother, And Fatal Fetal Anomaly. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “A ballot committee, Arkansans for Limited Government, has proposed a constitutional amendment that would bar the state from restricting access to abortion within 18 weeks of conception, or in cases of rape, incest, in the event of a fatal fetal anomaly, or when abortion is needed to protect the pregnant woman's life or health. […] Regarding the Arkansans for Limited Government committee's proposed constitutional amendment, Alexa Henning, a spokesperson for Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, said Monday in a written statement, ‘The Left wants the government to play doctor when it comes to gender science experiments on kids and vaccine mandates but apparently draws the line when government prevents the taking of an innocent human life.’ ‘That's complete hypocrisy - and disproves their whole claim to stand for 'limited government,'’ Henning said. ‘Governor Sanders is proud that Arkansas is the most pro-life state in the country and intends to keep it that way.’” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 11/29/23]
When Asked Why Arkansas Did Not Extend Paid Maternity Leave To 12 Months Despite Having One Of The Highest Rates Of Maternal Mortality In The Country, Sanders Cited The Increased Funding Of Pregnancy Crisis Centers. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Brennan then addressed maternal mortality rates, saying the Center for Disease Control reported Arkansas had one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country until 2021. According to a December 2022 legislative report from the Arkansas Maternal Mortality Review Committee, from 2018 to 2019 Arkansas had 54 pregnancy-associated deaths, with a pregnancy-associated mortality ratio of 73.7 deaths per 100,000 births. For all pregnancy-associated deaths, Black mothers were approximately twice as likely to die compared to white mothers in Arkansas. In April 2023, Huckabee signed into law a bill extending paid maternity leave for state employees from four to 12 weeks. ‘Arkansas is one of the few states that hasn’t extended postpartum care for mothers,’ Brennan said. ‘Why don’t you want those moms to get care for a full 12 months as is being offered instead of just 60 days?’ Sanders said she had to ‘disagree with the premise of your question saying that I don’t want that. ‘I certainly want us to do everything that we can to help during pregnancy and well after a child is born, which is why we have done things like focus on the foster and adoption care. We’ve put significant funding into our pregnancy crisis centers. We’re focusing on things that help our mothers including bring your kids to work at state government, we’ve expanded maternity leave for state employees.’” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 1/21/24]
Sanders Said She Would Not Push For Any Exceptions To An Abortion Ban. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Sanders said, ‘I am unapologetically pro-life across the board.’ ‘I would not push for any exceptions,’ she said when asked about exceptions to save the life of the mother or in cases of rape or incest. ‘Arkansas right now is the most pro-life state in the country, and I intend on keeping us there,’ Sanders said.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 5/1/22]
VIDEO: Sanders Would Not Advocate For Any Exceptions To An Abortion Ban. According to THV11 via YouTube, “SANDERS: Look, I’m an unapologetic pro-life advocate and would push for anything that strengthens our ability to continue to have strong pro-life legislation here in the state of Arkansas. I think we have to do everything we possibly can to protect children, and that’s one of the best ways we can do that. REPORTER: And would you put in any sort of, sorry, exception for rape or incest or anything of that nature? SANDERS: Like I said, I want to push for the strongest pro-life legislation that we can possibly have in our state and would make sure that we do everything that we can to protect those kids. REPORTER: So probably not? SANDERS: No, I would not advocate for those exceptions.” [THV11 via YouTube, 9/7/21]
Sanders Praised The Supreme Court For Their “Brave Resolve” In Overturning Roe v. Wade. According to KTVE, “This morning, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade which protected the constitutional right for women to have abortions. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, former White House Press Secretary and current candidate for Arkansas Governor made this statement after the Supreme Court’s ruling: ‘For decades, this is a day so many of us have prayed for and worked towards. I am thankful for the brave resolve of the six Supreme Court justices who – while receiving death threats and extreme political pressure – did what is right: defending the lives of the most innocent and vulnerable in our society. As Americans, we value the sanctity of life, and it is in our very nature to protect it. As a mom, I know the love that each of my three children have brought to our family, and, as governor, I will fight to keep Arkansas one of the most pro-life states in the nation.’” [KTVE, 6/24/22]
June 24, 2022: The Supreme Court Overturned Roe v. Wade. According to the Washington Post, “The Supreme Court on Friday overturned the fundamental right to abortion established nearly 50 years ago in Roe v. Wade, a stunning reversal that could alter the nation’s political landscape and leaves states free to drastically reduce or even outlaw a procedure that abortion rights groups said is key to women’s equality and independence.” [Washington Post, 6/24/22]
Sanders Said Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch Would “Leave An Incredible Legacy.” According to the Biblical Recorder, “‘We’ve got a strong economy, we’ve got ISIS on the run and we have a Supreme Court justice in Neil Gorsuch that I think is going to leave an incredible legacy and will be one of the defining moments of the president’s tenure. I think we have had an incredibly successful nine months,’ she said, stating her belief that ‘we’re going to get a lot more done.’” [Biblical Recorder, 1/24/18]
April 7, 2017: Trump Supreme Court Nominee Neil Gorsuch Was Confirmed, Reestablishing The Court’s 5-4 Conservative-Liberal Split. According to Time, “Newly-minted Justice Gorsuch brings the highest court in the land back to the 5-4 conservative-liberal split it had before Scalia passed away in February 2016. In many ways, he’s a natural heir to Scalia: Gorsuch’s core judicial philosophy and writing style are strikingly similar to the man he’s replacing. Both are originalists, who interpret the Constitution based on the intent of the founders, and textualists, who look at the words of the document rather than legislative history. And both are known for their colorful language and incisive opinions.” [Time, 4/7/17]
Sanders Told Trump Naming Brett Kavanaugh To The Supreme Court Would Excite Evangelicals In Trump’s Base. According to the New Yorker, “At the time, Trump was pondering nominees to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court. ‘Do you guys have a list of candidates already lined up?’ an aide asked. In fact, Trump had solicited Sanders’s opinion about Brett Kavanaugh, the eventual nominee, and she had said that Kavanaugh could both get confirmed and excite the evangelicals in the President’s base. But Trump hadn’t made his final decision yet, and the Administration wasn’t ready to air names in public. Sanders joked that she should say, ‘It’s me! No further questions! Thanks, guys!’ (She delivered a variation on this response at the podium, to tepid laughter.)” [New Yorker, 9/24/18]
With The 2018 Confirmation Of Brett Kavanaugh To The Supreme Court, Trump Cemented His 5-4 Conservative Majority On The Bench After Kennedy’s Departure. According to Axios, “With the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court in 2018, President Trump cemented a solid conservative majority on the bench. Kavanaugh has the second-most conservative score (0.693) next to Justice Clarence Thomas (0.725), per a measure that score judges on a liberal-conservative spectrum. An analysis by political scientists Lee Epstein, Andrew D. Martin, and Kevin Quinn places judges on an ideological spectrum called the ‘Judicial Common Space.’ Conservative justices receive scores from 0 to 1, liberal justices from –1 to 0. Most liberal: Sonia Sotomayor (-0.521) Ruth Bader Ginsburg (-0.518) Elena Kagan (-0.302) Stephen Breyer (-0.280) John Roberts (0.089) Samuel Alito (0.317) Neil Gorsuch (0.486) Brett Kavanaugh (0.693) Clarence Thomas (0.725)” [Axios, 6/1/19]
Sanders Said Amy Coney Barrett Would Make An Excellent Supreme Court Justice. According to a tweet from Sanders’ Twitter account, “Really proud of Judge Amy Coney Barrett. She will be confirmed and make an excellent Supreme Court justice. If you want more like her committed to protecting our God-given rights under the Constitution, don’t vote Democrat. Re-elect Trump-Pence and a GOP Senate.” [Twitter - @SarahHuckabee, 10/14/20]
October 26, 2020: Barrett Was Confirmed By The Senate And Sworn In To Fill Justice Ginsburg’s Seat. According to NPR, “The Senate has voted 52-48 to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, just about a week before Election Day and 30 days after she was nominated by President Trump to fill the seat of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. In a White House ceremony following the vote Monday evening, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas administered the constitutional oath to Coney Barrett.” [NPR, 10/26/20]
The Supreme Court Voted 6-3 To Overturn Roe v. Wade With Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, And Barrett In The Majority. According to the Washington Post, “The vote was 6 to 3 to uphold a restrictive Mississippi law. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., though, criticized his conservative colleagues for taking the additional step of overturning Roe and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, a subsequent case decided in the early 1990s that reaffirmed the constitutional right to abortion. […] Alito was joined by Justices Clarence Thomas, and Trump’s three nominees, Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, who joined the court just 21 months ago, after the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the court’s most outspoken proponent of abortion rights.” [Washington Post, 6/24/22]
Sanders Declared January 22, The Anniversary Of The Supreme Court’s Decision In Roe v. Wade, As The “Day Of Tears.” According to a proclamation from the Governor of Arkansas, “WHEREAS: The ninety-third General Assembly passed H.C.R. 1007 recognizing January 22, in perpetuity, as the ‘Day of Tears’ in Arkansas and encouraging the citizens of Arkansas to mourn the innocent unborn children who have lost their lives to abortion; WHEREAS: On January 22, 2023, hundreds of Arkansans will take part in the annual March for Life to recommit to protecting the most vulnerable among us and to celebrating the dignity of every human life; NOW, THEREFORE, I, SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS, acting under the authority vested in me as the Governor of the State of Arkansas, do hereby proclaim January 22, 2023, as: ‘A DAY OF TEARS IN ARKANSAS’ and I urge all citizens to join voluntarily in solemn remembrance of the innocent unborn children who have lost their lives to abortion. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and cause the Great Seal of the State of Arkansas to be affixed this 20th day of January, in the year of our Lord 2023.” [Governor of Arkansas, 1/20/23]
Sanders: “Arkansas Right Now Is The Most Pro-Life State In The Country, And I Intend On Keeping Us There.” According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Sanders said, ‘I am unapologetically pro-life across the board.’ ‘I would not push for any exceptions,’ she said when asked about exceptions to save the life of the mother or in cases of rape or incest. ‘Arkansas right now is the most pro-life state in the country, and I intend on keeping us there,’ Sanders said.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 5/1/22]
VIDEO: Sanders Vowed To Keep Arkansas The Most Anti-Abortion State In The Country. According to Arkansas Right to Life March 2023 via YouTube, “SANDERS: As long as I’m governor over the next eight years, I will make sure that Arkansas continues to be the most pro-life state in the country.” [Arkansas March for Life 2023 via YouTube, 1/22/23]
Sanders Said She Wanted “Unborn Children” To Be “Protected In Law” In Her Inaugural Address. According to KHBS, “Arkansas' new governor laid out her vision for the state in her Inaugural Address, speaking on topics like abortion, education, and taxes. […] Arkansas laws ban nearly all abortions, without exception for rape or incest. Some lawmakers have said they want to change this. Sanders said she wants an Arkansas ‘where precious unborn children are welcome in life and protected in law.’” [KHBS, 1/10/23]
Hours After 19 Children Were Killed In A School Shooting In Uvalde Texas, Sanders Said “We Will Make Sure When A Kid Is In The Womb, They Are As Safe As In The Classroom.” According to the Daily Mail, “Sarah Huckabee Sanders was condemned for saying 'We will make sure when a kid is in the womb, they are as safe as in the classroom' just hours after the Uvalde massacre. The Arkansas gubernatorial candidate made the remarks on May 24 - hours after the shootings in Texas killed 19 children and two teachers - in a nod to her hardline anti-abortion stance. Sanders, who served as White House Press Secretary under Donald Trump, was fully aware of the unfolding tragedy, and prefaced the pro-life comment with: 'The events that took place in Texas are a stark and humbling reminder of just how precious life is, and what an incredible given that each of us has been given by our creator.'” [Daily Mail, 6/27/22]
Sanders Said Her Anti-Abortion Views Were “Non-Negotiable.” According to the New Yorker, “Sanders, when asked if she shared these views, said, ‘I believe in the Bible.’ She told me that her pro-life views are ‘non-negotiable,’ and added, ‘One of the things that makes Americans unique is that we value life. We think each life has intrinsic value and worth, whether you are a baby in the womb or an elderly woman.’” [New Yorker, 9/24/18]
Sanders Said There Was Nothing She Was More “Unapologetic” For Than Her Anti-Abortion Views. According to Arkansas Right to Life March 2023 via YouTube, “SANDERS: There is nothing I am more proud to stand for, to fight for, and nothing I am more unapologetic about, that being pro-life and making sure I am doing everything, every single day to protect the most vulnerable among us. But like Andy said, our work is far from over. We are, frankly, just getting started. We need to make sure that this happens all over the country. Let Arkansas set the standard. Let us be the example of how to do it right.” [Arkansas Right to Life March 2023 via YouTube, 1/22/23]
VIDEO: Sanders Said She Hoped That The Republican Party Would Always Protect Life “From Conception To Its Natural Conclusion.” According to an interview with Sanders with the World Affairs Council of Dallas via YouTube, “HOST: What do you think is the future of the Republican Party? It’s changed so much. SANDERS: Well, I think that, you know, the big bulk of the Republican Party is going to be having to fight back against the radical left. I hope that the Republican Party will remain true to its principles of smaller government, a party that always protects life and does everything we can to protect life from its, from conception to its natural conclusion.” [Sanders with the World Affairs Council of Dallas via YouTube, 9/15/20]
2016: Sanders Touted Trump’s Anti-Abortion Stance When Joining His Campaign. According to the New York Times, “Sarah Huckabee, the daughter of Mike Huckabee - the former governor of Arkansas and two-time presidential candidate - joined Donald J. Trump's presidential campaign this week as a senior adviser, giving Mr. Trump a toehold in Arkansas, one of 12 states that are holding nominating contests on Super Tuesday. […] In an accompanying statement, Ms. Huckabee offered a validation of Mr. Trump, who used to support abortion rights, as a social conservative. ‘Like the other Republican candidates, Mr. Trump is pro-life, pro-marriage, and will appoint conservatives to the courts,’ Ms. Huckabee said. ‘What makes Mr. Trump my choice for president is he will break the grip of the donor class on our government and make it accountable to working families again.’” [New York Times, 2/25/16]
Sanders Said Trump’s Anti-Abortion Position Was A Reason To Vote For Him Because, “That Is The Difference Between Right And Wrong, Good And Evil.” According to the New Yorker, “Sanders declared that she opposed abortion and supported the Second Amendment, tax cuts, and ‘more localized government.’ After the final Presidential debate, she told the host of a North Carolina radio program that Trump offered the strongest ‘pro-life position that any Republican nominee has given in my lifetime.’ She called it ‘a pivotal moment’ that ‘should give every Christian and every evangelical, every Catholic, reason to support Donald Trump and reason to vote for him, because that is the difference between right and wrong, good and evil.’” [New Yorker, 9/24/18]
Sanders Called Trump’s Attendance At The March For Life Rally “A Proud Day.” According to a tweet from Sanders’ personal account, “Today @realDonaldTrump will be the first President to attend the March for Life. A proud day for the pro-life movement and every American fighting to protect the value and dignity of every human life.” [Twitter - @SarahHuckabee, 1/24/20]
Sanders Defended The Trump Administration’s Proposal To Bar Federal Funds From Facilities That Provided Or Referred Patients For Abortions. According to the New York Times, “A Trump administration proposal to bar federally funded family planning facilities from providing or referring patients for abortions is aimed at forcing organizations like Planned Parenthood to make a simple choice: cease offering abortion services or lose some of their government money. […] Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary, said in a statement that the proposal fulfilled Mr. Trump’s ‘promise to continue to improve women’s health and ensure that federal funds are not used to fund the abortion industry in violation of the law.’” [New York Times, 5/18/18]
2020: Sanders Said Joe Biden’s Stance On Abortion Disqualified Him From The Presidency. According to Fox News, “Joe Biden's pro-abortion stance should disqualify him as a candidate for the nation's highest office, former White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told ‘Tucker Carlson Tonight’ Monday. ‘You hear the Democrats and Biden falsely talk about how they have compassion and empathy for everyone except for the very most vulnerable people in our society, the unborn children,’ Sanders said. ‘The fact that they don’t stand up for them and do everything they can to protect them, I think, disqualifies them,’ she continued. ‘And any person that is pro-life should have no ability to vote for Joe Biden and the Democrats who make this part of their party platform and a pillar of what they stand for.’” [Fox News, 8/17/20]
Sanders Said Allowing Greater Access To Abortion Under Democrats In 2020 Would Result In “Real Chaos.” According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “In addition to her levity, Sanders offered a defense of Trump, promising ‘real chaos’ in the form of higher taxes, stricter gun control and greater access to abortion if Democrats are elected to positions of leadership.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 11/20/19]
Sanders Called On The Biden Administration To Rescind A Defense Department Policy Allowing For Service Members Who Travel Out Of State To Obtain An Abortion To Be Reimbursed. According to the Daily Caller, “Republican Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders sent a letter Tuesday to President Joe Biden and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin calling on them to rescind a Department of Defense policy that reimburses female service members who travel out of state to obtain abortions. The Daily Caller first obtained a copy of the letter, which specifically mentions Colonel Dillon R. Patterson, who commanded the 188th Wing of the Arkansas Air National Guard from June 2023 until his recent resignation. In the letter, Sanders criticizes the policy and calls out the Biden administration for forcing Patterson and others in the military to choose between their faith and their service to the country.” [Daily Caller, 1/2/24]
2015: Sanders Said “#ImWithHuck” After Tweeting Out Mike Huckabee’s Statement That Abortion Would Be “As Much Of A Scourge In Our Past As Slavery” If Elected President. According to a tweet from Sander’s personal account, “Huckabee: In my administration ‘abortion would be no more. It would be as much of a scourge in our past as slavery is.’ #ImWithHuck.” [Twitter - @SarahHuckabee, 9/16/15]
2013: Sanders’ Virginia Principles Fund Ran An Ad Attacking Virginia Gubernatorial Candidate Terry McAuliffe For His Support For Abortion Rights. According to Politico, “A conservative super PAC, Virginia Principles Fund, will go on the air Monday with a $300,000 TV buy to attack Terry McAuliffe's support for abortion rights and to criticize his business record. Sarah Huckabee, who runs the organization, said the group's research shows the Democrat's position on abortion is ‘one of his greatest vulnerabilities in this race.’ McAuliffe is running for governor of Virginia against Republican Ken Cuccinelli. The anti-abortion ad, shared early with POLITICO, will run in the Norfolk and Roanoke media markets with roughly 1,000 gross rating points in each.” [Politico, 9/23/13]
2008: As Executive Director Of Huck PAC, Sanders Said They Endorsed William Russell In Pennsylvania’s 12th District Because Of “His Support For A Ban On Abortion.” According to the Somerset Daily American, “Huck PAC, recently formed to assist Republicans running for office nationwide by former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, has also endorsed Russell. Sarah Huckabee, Mike's daughter and the organization's executive director, said the organization does not give out blanket endorsements and feels Russell can bring back conservative values to Congress. ‘One of the bigger reasons is his support for a ban on abortion, a federal marriage amendment and his strong support of the Second Amendment,’ Sarah Huckabee said in a telephone interview.” [Somerset Daily American, 10/29/08]
Sanders Signed Legislation To Create A “Monument To The Unborn” At The Arkansas State Capitol. According to ABC News, “Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders quietly signed into law on Thursday a bill that will create a ‘monument to the unborn’ on the grounds of the Arkansas State Capitol. Sanders' team confirmed the bill signing in a release late Friday. State Senate Bill 307, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Kim Hammer and Rep. Mary Bentley, allows for private funds ‘of gifts, grants, and donations from individuals and organizations’ to pay for a monument to ‘unborn children aborted during the era of Roe v. Wade.’” [ABC News, 3/18/23]
Taxpayer Funds Would Maintain The Monument After Its Installation. According to ABC News, “Once the monument is installed, it would then be maintained by taxpayer funds due to its location. Bentley said its intent is to ‘remember those children we were not able to protect and we will not be able to forget.’” [ABC News, 3/18/23]
Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser Called Sanders A Person “That We Trust.” According to The Hill, “Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List, who had actively campaigned against Trump during the primary, is not ready to endorse him but said she was impressed with several hires he has made. Among them are Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the daughter of Mike Huckabee, and policy adviser John Mashburn, a staunch anti-abortion advocate. Both have acted as liaisons between the evangelical community and Trump campaign. ‘Personnel is policy, and he has put people in campaign that we trust,’ Dannenfelser said.” [The Hill, 6/21/16]
National Right To Life PAC Praised Sanders For Being “Unapologetically Pro-Life” In Their Endorsement Of Her Gubernatorial Campaign. According to a press release from National Right to Life PAC, “National Right to Life and Arkansas Right to Life PAC announced their joint endorsement of Sarah Huckabee Sanders for Arkansas Governor. ‘Throughout her career, Sarah Huckabee Sanders has demonstrated that she is unapologetically pro-life and unafraid to be a voice for the voiceless,’ said Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life. ‘Unborn children and their mothers in Arkansas will have a champion in Sarah Huckabee Sanders as Governor.’” [Press Release –National Right to Life PAC , 9/12/22]
Sanders’ Campaign Manager Named A Chair Of Stronger Arkansas, A Group Opposed To A Proposed Constitutional Amendments On Abortion Access. According to the Arkansas Advocate, “Supporters of ballot initiatives on abortion, medical marijuana and education said they’re not concerned about the formation of a new opposition group led by an adviser to Arkansas’ governor. Stronger Arkansas is chaired by Chris Caldwell, a political consultant who served as Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ 2022 gubernatorial campaign manager. Caldwell will also lead her 2026 re-election campaign. According to a statement of organization filed with the Arkansas Ethics Commission on Friday, the ballot question committee is pursuing ‘the disqualification and/or defeat’ of three constitutional amendments, including the Arkansas Abortion Amendment of 2024.” [Arkansas Advocate, 3/20/24]
Cathy Lanier, Sanders’ Finance Director, Was The Group’s Treasurer. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “A senior adviser to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is leading a new group in its efforts to defeat proposed constitutional amendments on abortion, medical marijuana and education. The group, Stronger Arkansas, filed its paperwork with the Arkansas Ethics Commission on Friday, establishing itself as a ballot question committee. Chris Caldwell, a political consultant who also served as Sanders' campaign manager for her 2022 gubernatorial bid, is the group's chair. Cathy Lanier, who served as finance director for Sanders' campaign, is listed as treasurer for Stronger Arkansas. Lanier is a ‘successful political fundraiser’ and has worked for U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, U.S. Rep. French Hill, Attorney General Tim Griffin and Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge, according to an August 2022 news release from the Sanders' campaign.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 3/18/24]
Vicki Deere, The Mother Of Sanders’ Deputy Chief Of Staff, Was The Group’s Vice Chair. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “Vicki Deere is listed as the group's vice chair. Deere is the mother of Sanders' deputy chief of staff, Judd Deere.” [Arkansas Democrat Gazette, 3/18/24]
The Arkansas Abortion Amendment Would Legalize Abortions Up To 18 Weeks After Fertilization. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, “The group's goal is "for the disqualification and/or defeat" of the proposed amendments on abortion, medical marijuana and education. All three amendment campaigns have received approval to start their petition efforts. To make the ballot, a constitutional amendment needs 90,704 signatures. The proposed abortion amendment, submitted by Arkansans for Limited Government, would end the state's ban on most abortions, legalizing the procedure up to 18 weeks after fertilization or in cases of rape, incest, fatal fetal anomaly or to protect the mother's life or protect the mother from physical harm. Currently, abortions in Arkansas are banned except in cases to save the life of the mother during a medical emergency.” [Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 3/18/24]