The Gavel sculpture in Columbus outside the Ohio Supreme Court, where Republican gains this week resulted in a supermajority on the bench. Four states with post-Dobbs bans saw victories for judicial candidates backed by abortion opponents. (Graham Stokes/Ohio Capital Journal)
State Supreme Court justices who upheld abortion restrictions racked up major wins across the country this week. Legal battles over policy have often found their way to these courtrooms since federal protections for reproductive rights dissipated in 2022.
In Arizona, where an abortion-rights ballot measure succeeded, two judges who voted with the majority to uphold a 19th century abortion ban in April will stay on the bench.
Although votes in the state are still being counted, at least 58% of voters retained Justice Clint Bolick, and at least 60% of voters backed Justice Kathryn King as of Thursday morning. At the same time, more than 75% of voters rejected a ballot measure that would have given the judges lifetime appointments, Arizona Mirror reported.