Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie sparred on abortion policy during the 2024 election Republican primary debate on Wednesday night in California.
DeSantis stood behind the ban on abortion after six weeks gestation that he signed into law in Florida, saying that he has the capacity to win swing voters “by leading with purpose and conviction.
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“I reject this idea that pro-lifers are to blame for midterm defeats,” DeSantis said, as part of an answer to a moderator’s question about how he would win over pro-abortion-rights voters in swing states such as Arizona. Arizona and several other states are contemplating abortion rights amendments to their respective state constitutions.
The Florida governor also challenged former President Donald Trump, who recently called Florida’s six-week ban a “mistake” and a “terrible thing.”
“The former president [is] missing in action tonight. He’s had a lot to say about that. He should be here explaining his comments to try to say that pro-life protections are somehow a terrible thing,” DeSantis said. “I want him to look into the eyes and tell people who’ve been fighting this fight for a long time.”
DeSantis took significant criticism from anti-abortion Republicans after the first debate in August after he did not elaborate on whether he would support federal limits on the abortion procedure.
Christie also took a solid stance against abortion, stressing a track record of bridging the partisan divide on the controversial social issue.
“This is where the fight is really tough for Republicans. And those are the states that we’re gonna have to try to win if we’re going to win the White House back,” Christie said.
Christie said as governor he denied federal funding for Planned Parenthood 14 times, saying that abortion is a states’ rights issue.
“I think we fought hard against Roe vs. Wade for decades to say that states should make these decisions,” Christie said. “So we’re going to have those fights in the states where what you need is a leader who can talk to people and make them understand that if you’re pro-life, you have to be pro-life for the entire life, not just the nine months in the womb.”
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Christie did not have the opportunity to answer questions regarding abortion during the first debate in August.
Other candidates on the debate stage were not asked about abortion.
