Conservative Funding Targets New York State Abortion Rights Measure

A late-stage campaign aimed at defeating a New York State ballot measure that seeks to enshrine a right to abortion in the State Constitution has received a significant financial boost, totaling $8 million from several prominent conservative donors. The political action committee, known as Vote No on Prop 1, has garnered substantial contributions, including $6.5 million from Dick Uihlein, a notable figure linked to the founding family of Schlitz beer and the founder of the shipping giant Uline.

Alongside his wife, Uihlein has been a prolific donor to various political causes, including those supporting former President Donald J. Trump, and organizations that oppose LGBTQ+ rights. Notably, in the previous year, he allocated $4 million toward efforts to defeat an abortion amendment in Ohio, underscoring his commitment to anti-abortion initiatives.

Additionally, the committee has received $1 million from Thomas J. Tisch, a financier who played a major role in supporting Lee Zeldin’s unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign in New York in 2022. This late influx of funding is anticipated to significantly enhance the messaging of opponents to the proposed amendment, which is also referred to as the Equal Rights Amendment.

Originally conceived as a means to protect abortion rights following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, this initiative seeks to broaden legal protections for individuals based on various factors, including sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, and national origin.

Democratic advocates had hoped that this ballot initiative would serve as a catalyst to boost voter turnout, particularly among those passionate about reproductive rights. Public sentiment in New York appears to be largely supportive of the amendment; a recent Siena College poll indicates that approximately 69 percent of New Yorkers are in favor of the proposed changes.