A clear message has been sent to the political elite: America does not want an abortion-first future.
Kamala Harris bet everything on an unprecedented, no-limits abortion agenda as the core of her campaign, only to find that voters were not willing to follow her down that bleak, depressing path. At a time when citizens are most concerned with inflation, immigration, and national security, Harris’ single-issue focus fell flat with the majority of everyday Americans.
Polling consistently showed that while abortion is a polarizing topic, it is far from the top priority for most Americans. A recent poll found only 15 percent of voters consider abortion their primary concern, compared to 40 percent prioritizing the economy and 17 percent focused on immigration.
Ignoring these signs, Harris chose to make abortion her campaign’s centerpiece, assuming that a radical stance would ignite her base and even reach across the aisle. Instead, it alienated voters looking for real solutions to the real challenges they face caused by the current administration.
Americans across the political spectrum seemed increasingly uneasy with the left’s extreme priorities, particularly when it comes to policies allowing abortion up to the point of birth. In 10 states, ballot initiatives this year gave Americans the chance to vote directly on abortion-related measures.
Florida stands as a powerful example of this rejection. Voters delivered a resounding ‘no’ to the extreme abortion agenda behind Amendment 4, marking the first major pro-life victory in a post-Dobbs America. Outspent 8-to-1 by pro-abortion groups, the bold leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis and the unwavering commitment of thousands of pro-life Floridians—including grassroots advocates from 40 Days for Life—created a new blueprint for winning. Floridians turned out in force to show they will not stand for the extreme, no-limits policies championed by Harris and Walz.
Historically, abortion has been framed as a measure of last resort, encouraged only within the boundaries of the now-abandoned phrase “safe, legal, and rare.” The Harris-Walz ticket left nothing up to the imagination, promoting abortion as a “right” without restrictions or accountability.
Capitalizing on this gloomy theme, Tim Walz used his last campaign stop to turn to the men in the crowd—a demographic largely ignored and demonized by the Democratic ticket—and ask them to “Think about the women in your life whom you love. Their lives are at stake in this election.”
What a grim, disheartening moment when a campaign’s final message to male voters: Vote for me to support your daughters’ right to end the lives of your future grandchildren.
Even among young voters—a critical demographic in this election—frustration grew with the extreme stance Harris adopted. Many Gen Z voters voiced that young women felt “pandered to” by Harris’ singular focus on abortion, as if it were their only concern. While Harris leaned on celebrity endorsements and centered her campaign around abortion, young voters sought new leadership that offered them economic opportunity and safety—priorities the Harris campaign chose to ignore.
Meanwhile, President Trump’s pro-life track record—defunding Planned Parenthood, supporting pregnancy centers, and appointing pro-life Supreme Court justices—resonated with voters seeking a future of hope and family values. Trump’s consistent stance on life—leaving it up to the states—contrasted sharply with Harris’ fixation on abortion as a right to be celebrated and even as a sacrament.
This election cycle also highlighted Americans' unwillingness to subsidize Planned Parenthood. Recent data from the Charlotte Lozier Institute revealed that the corrupt abortion giant received $670.4 million in taxpayer funds last year, a figure that continues to climb despite an overall decrease in services.
In stark contrast, nearly 3,000 pregnancy centers across the country, supported by overwhelming public approval, provide a range of services to women at little or no cost.
As Americans increasingly prefer resources directed toward real support for mothers and children, the pro-life movement offers an obvious alternative to an abortion industry that treats women and their unborn children as political pawns.
Americans have made it apparent that they want leaders who respect life, prioritize real-world concerns, support mothers and children, and offer a vision of hope where every life is valued.
Shawn Carney is President and CEO of 40 Days for Life, the world’s largest pro-life organization, and bestselling author of four books, including What to Say When 2: Your Proven Guide in the New Abortion Landscape. Follow him on Twitter @CarneyShawn