How one abortion ad changed an election

Published: Jan. 25, 2024, 10:18 p.m.

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As candidates and political strategists on both sides look at how to handle the abortion issue in 2024, all eyes have been on one viral ad credited with reelecting a Democrat in Kentucky. Today on \\u201cPost Reports,\\u201d we hear from the young woman behind it.


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Since Roe v. Wade fell, voters have overwhelmingly backed abortion rights in each of the states where the issue has appeared directly on the ballot, including in conservative Kentucky, Kansas and, most recently, Ohio.

Democrats have had less success translating voters\\u2019 frustrations over abortion bans into races that could oust the politicians responsible for them, or prevent the election of other antiabortion leaders. 


Hadley Duvall made that connection abundantly clear for Kentucky voters. Her ad, viewed online millions of times, sparked concerned discussions within the Republican Party, with top national leaders acknowledging the critical role Duvall played in Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear\\u2019s reelection.


\\ufeffToday on \\u201cPost Reports,\\u201d we talk to abortion reporter Caroline Kitchener about how Duvall broke through, even with conservatives and moderates \\u2014 and why political strategists are looking at this ad as a playbook.


Today\\u2019s show was produced by Ariel Plotnick. It was mixed by Sean Carter. It was edited by Maggie Penman.


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