The 2024 election brought mixed results for the pro-life movement amid significant Republican victories. While the GOP secured the presidency and Senate majority, abortion-related ballot measures showed a complex landscape.

Three Harris-voting states protected abortion constitutionally, while two Trump-voting states rejected abortion expansion. Nebraska maintained its 12-week ban, but four other Trump states—Arizona, Missouri, Montana, and Nevada—voted to expand or maintain abortion access.

The Republican Party notably shifted its platform language on abortion rights, removing the decades-old assertion of the "fundamental right to life" for the unborn. This change reflected a broader post-Roe adjustment in conservative messaging.

Despite heavy Democratic spending on abortion messaging (28-38% of their national ad budget), Harris's campaign focus on abortion didn't translate to electoral success. She secured fewer female votes than previous Democratic candidates.

Florida's Governor DeSantis demonstrated that pro-life positions can still win elections, successfully opposing Amendment 4 despite being outspent $118 million to $12 million. However, in most other states, the side with greater financial resources prevailed in abortion-related initiatives.

Pro-life leaders identified several challenges:

• Messaging difficulties against well-funded opposition
• Republican uncertainty about post-Roe goals
• Public ambivalence about abortion restrictions

However, they found encouragement in:

• First legislative wins since Dobbs (Florida, South Dakota, Nebraska)
• Growing normalization of state-level abortion regulation
• Expected reduced federal pressure under Trump's presidency

The movement continues to focus on changing hearts and minds at the local level, with organizations like CareNet, Heartbeat, and 40 Days for Life reporting increased engagement post-Roe.

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