(The Center Square) – Arizona state Rep. Athena Salman, D-Tempe, is resigning from the legislature on Dec. 31 to pursue a new role related to expanding abortion access in the state.
Salman said in a news release on Wednesday that she will be taking a new role as the director of Arizona Campaigns for Reproductive Freedom, which is one of several groups hoping to expand abortion access in Arizona in the post-Roe era.
“The right to decide if, when and how to start and grow your family faces the largest threat in generations. We are one bad court decision away from a 160-year-old total ban on abortion being reinstated in Arizona,” Salman said in a statement.
“When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, I committed to do everything in my power to restore abortion rights in the United States of America. I am excited to begin a new chapter as the Director of Arizona Campaigns for Reproductive Freedom for All and mobilize 75,000 members across the state to enshrine this fundamental right into our constitution,” she continued.
The ballot initiative she’s supporting will require 383,923 valid signatures submitted to the Arizona Secretary of State’s office by July 3, 2024. If it makes it onto the ballot and is passed by voters, it would “establish a fundamental right to abortion” in the state’s constitution.
Following the Dobbs decision overturning Roe, it has been left up to each state to decide what its abortion laws are. The Arizona Supreme Court is currently trying to decide if the 15-week ban from 2022 or a complete ban from 1864 will hold. The amendment would support abortion up to “fetal viability”, which is typically 23-25 weeks, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
As for Salman specifically, she and her husband, state Sen. Juan Mendez, made headlines in 2022 for their lack of in-person attendance at the state legislature. According to The Arizona Republic, the couple was concerned about COVID-19 risks with a young child and while she was pregnant. However, Mendez did receive an ethics complaint from Sen. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, over lack of attendance, according to the Arizona Capitol Times.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to be an authentic and compassionate leader for my community in the Arizona Legislature. I am forever grateful to my constituents and supporters for your support, and deeply appreciate the love and encouragement of my friends and family. Together, we will make history,” she said in her statement.
