{"id":2651596,"date":"2026-08-29T07:36:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T11:36:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/anti-abortion-leaders-see-josh-hawley-as-possible-2028-force\/"},"modified":"2026-08-29T07:38:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-29T11:38:07","slug":"anti-abortion-leaders-see-josh-hawley-as-possible-2028-force","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/anti-abortion-leaders-see-josh-hawley-as-possible-2028-force\/","title":{"rendered":"Anti-abortion leaders see Josh Hawley as possible 2028 force"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fanti-abortion-leaders-see-josh-hawley-as-possible-2028-force%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2651596&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>During the 2024 presidential election, Mike Pence was the most anti-abortion Republican candidate, advocating for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/stacey-abrams-calls-proposed-15-week-abortion-ban-deeply-problematic\/\" title=\"Stacey Abrams Calls Proposed 15-Week ... Ban \u201cDeeply Problematic\u201d\">15-week federal abortion ban<\/a>, but he did not succeed in his bid against Donald Trump. Two years later, the anti-abortion movement is looking for influence within the GOP, with Senator Josh Hawley emerging as a prominent figure due to his strong pro-life record and efforts to restrict access to abortion, including legislation and court actions against the abortion drug mifepristone. Hawley\u2019s positions and actions have gained some support among anti-abortion leaders, although there is cautiousness about his viability as a 2028 presidential candidate, especially given the presence of othre potential contenders like Vice President JD Vance and Marco Rubio. Frustrations with the Trump administration\u2019s stance on abortion issues could create opportunities for Hawley to gain ground. anti-abortion activists favor a competitive primary that emphasizes pro-life issues, seeing Hawley as a candidate with a strong record that could appeal to their base, but acknowledging the unpredictability of the electoral landscape and the influence of broader GOP dynamics.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the 2024 presidential election, former Vice President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mike-pence\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"88\">Mike Pence<\/a> was the most staunchly anti-<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/abortion\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"200\">abortion<\/a> candidate, pressuring other Republicans in the primary to endorse a 15-week federal abortion ban.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pence was unsuccessful in his White House bid against his former boss, President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4\">Donald Trump.<\/a><\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/4704156\/josh-hawley-2028-anti-abortion\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Anti-abortion leaders see Josh Hawley as possible 2028 force<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4705060\/hegseth-shuts-down-report-2028-presidential-bid\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Hegseth shuts down report he\u2019s eyeing 2028 presidential bid: \u2018100% false\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/presidential\/4701922\/ted-cruz-jd-vance-president-2028\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Cruz says \u2018I want to be president\u2019 after rejecting Vance 2028 consensus<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two years later, the anti-abortion movement is searching for leverage inside a Republican Party dominated by Trump, and Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/josh-hawley\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"914\">Josh Hawley<\/a> (R-MO) could be its answer.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Missouri senator and his wife, Erin Hawley, have worked together to restrict access to abortion in a multipronged effort. Erin Hawley has argued on behalf of the Alliance Defending Freedom in front of the Supreme Court against access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That record could give the Missouri senator an opening with anti-abortion activists dissatisfied with the administration as Republicans begin maneuvering ahead of the 2028 presidential primary, GOP strategists have suggested to the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe\u2019s done a great job standing for the cause for life. I think it\u2019s been disappointing how few have joined him in that,\u201d said Marc Short, Advancing American Freedom\u2019s chairman and former chief of staff to Pence.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf the Trump administration continues to wander away from the pro-life community,\u201d Short said. \u201cThat juxtaposition will be even sharper for Josh Hawley in the 24 months ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hawley and his wife launched the Love Life Initiative\u00a0in December 2025 to highlight anti-abortion rights ballot measures across the nation. In March, the Missouri senator introduced the Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act that would withdraw the Food and Drug Administration\u2019s approval of mifepristone for abortion.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe science is clear: The chemical abortion drug is inherently dangerous to women and prone to abuse,\u201d\u00a0Hawley said at the time. \u201cYet major companies like Danco Laboratories are making billions off it.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During confirmation hearings for Attorney General Todd Blanche, Hawley pushed him to settle lawsuits filed by conservative-led states against the FDA over mifepristone. Anti-abortion advocates were disappointed over the Justice Department\u2019s lack of support for states such as Louisiana, which sued the FDA and mifepristone drugmakers, claiming it overrode Louisiana\u2019s law barring elective abortion. The DOJ previously argued that states such as Missouri, Kansas, and Idaho lacked merit to sue the FDA over mifepristone, a stance that aligns with the Biden-era DOJ.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some anti-abortion leaders praised Hawley\u2019s efforts but were not completely sold on him as a 2028 candidate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSen. Hawley has an exceptional record on defending Life, not just with words but with deeds,\u201d said Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life Action. \u201cWe hope that he inspires all GOP elected officials to follow his example. It\u2019s a little early to say someone is the \u2018dream candidate,\u2019 but I dream of candidates who all stand strong on life, as Sen. Hawley has done and continues to do.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vice President JD Vance is presumed to be the front-runner in the emerging shadow GOP primary, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. But frustrations among anti-abortion leaders with the Trump administration could complicate Vance\u2019s efforts to consolidate the movement and create an opening for Hawley.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Funding for Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood was restored last month, after the One Big Beautiful Bill Act blocked federal funding to the organization for a year. Congressional leaders have conceded that they are unlikely to include language cutting off Planned Parenthood funding again in another party-line spending legislation this year. The FDA slow-walked a safety study of mifepristone before finally moving forward with it in June.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThere\u2019s no doubt that I think JD fancied himself as an advocate for the pro-life community, but he\u2019s been absent from every one of the battles they\u2019ve had to face,\u201d Short said. \u201cAnd has basically toed the line behind the administration.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In private, anti-abortion leaders have praised Hawley\u2019s actions to the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> but stopped short of going all in for him to run in 2028.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFrom a pro-life perspective, he\u2019ll have one of the strongest records you possibly could going into the race,\u201d said one <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >national anti-abortion leader involved<\/a> in the political side.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The leader compared a possible Hawley bid to former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee\u2019s 2008 presidential run, when he won the Iowa caucuses by building support among evangelical Christians, Catholics, and anti-abortion voters but ultimately lost the nomination to then-Sen. John McCain.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI hope that Sen. Hawley runs to represent a very strong pro-life choice,\u201d the anti-abortion leader added. \u201cI think the senator would have a chance if he ran, but even if he ran and someone else like the vice president ultimately gets the nomination, I think that having a competitive primary where you know issues like abortion are litigated is helpful.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Patrick Brown, a fellow at the conservative think tank Ethics and Public Policy Center, cautioned that the anti-abortion vote may not be enough to help Hawley carve out a lane in 2028.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s going to be challenging for any nominee to kind of stake out the more conservative than thou lane, simply because Trump has shown that, at least to some degree, the primary voters and certainly the general election voters are comfortable with deviations from orthodoxy,\u201d Brown said. \u201cSo just saying I\u2019m the purest on this issue isn\u2019t necessarily going to be successful in the long haul.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although Trump has kept the anti-abortion community at a distance, he is still polling at 52% among evangelicals according to a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/us\/evangelicals-divided-trumps-war-iran-immigration-crackdown-reutersipsos-poll-2026-06-12\/\"><em>Reuters<\/em>-Ipsos poll<\/a> released in June.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4701407\/ted-cruz-fcc-jd-vance-2028-republican-strategists-tucker-carlson\/\">TED CRUZ FIRES 2028 WARNING SHOT AGAINST JD VANCE, BUT HIS LANE IS UNCERTAIN<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Advocates said healthy competition among the 2028 primary candidates would benefit the GOP instead of simply anointing Vance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEven when you have someone who looks like a prohibitive front-runner or a very strong candidate, it\u2019s helpful for there to be a competition,\u201d the national anti-abortion leader said. \u201cBecause I think that ultimately pulls the final candidate more towards the better position that the party faithful hold, like on being pro-life.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pence&#8217;s 2024 bid failed; Hawley emerges as pro-life 2028 contender<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2658,"featured_media":2651597,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26104642240308.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[11331,4310,34799,50402,5894],"class_list":["post-2651596","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-11331","tag-abortion","tag-josh-hawley","tag-leadership-2","tag-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26104642240308.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2651596","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2658"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2651596"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2651596\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2651600,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2651596\/revisions\/2651600"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2651597"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2651596"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2651596"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2651596"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}