Abortion rights front and center in the midterms after the Supreme Court decision

Abortion rights took center stage heading into the midterm elections as the conservative Supreme Court overturned Friday the landmark decision in Roe v. Wade. The decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization strikes down a women's constitutional right to an abortion and paves the way for states to ban and further restrict abortion across the country. 

Democrats are fighting to defend their majorities in the House and Senate. There are also 36 governor's races taking place this year, and thousands of races down ballot. Party officials see the fight to protect the right to an abortion as a winning issue for candidates up and down the ballot. After the opinion leaked in May, Democrats saw its impact on grassroots support, according to an aide from the campaign arm of the party.

"Make no mistake: The Republican Party will not stop at overturning Roe. The 2022 election will now determine whether new, cruel, and punishing restrictions will be put in place on women and families," read a joint statement from Democratic committees.  "The stakes of November's elections could not be higher – and voters will make their voices heard by standing with Democrats up and down the ballot."