Could the Fight for Abortion Rights Be Key to Debbie Mucarsel-Powell's Success in Florida?

Debbie Mucarsel-Powell was just 24 years old when she received news that would irrevocably alter the course of her life. In 1995, while pursuing her master’s degree in international political economy in California, an urgent phone call from her sister interrupted her studies. It was a moment that would bring profound sorrow: her father had been killed by a criminal with a gun in their home country of Ecuador. Reflecting on that painful time, Mucarsel-Powell describes it as “devastating and traumatic,” with an emotional weight still palpable in her voice nearly three decades later.

At the time of her father’s death, Mucarsel-Powell had been living in the United States for a decade with her mother and sister, having immigrated in search of better opportunities and a safer life. “Those gunshot wounds… You see that in the person you love, that you’re burying. It’s such a violent way to lose a loved one,” she recalls, pausing to collect her emotions. “I truly believe that changed my trajectory and everything I decided to do with my life. I knew I wanted to fight for justice.”

This fierce passion for justice drove Mucarsel-Powell across the country to Florida, where she would forge a career dedicated to public service. After earning her master’s degree, she climbed the ranks to become the associate dean at Florida International University’s Colleges of Health and Medicine in 2008. In this role, she oversaw initiatives aimed at expanding affordable health care to Floridians, a critical issue close to her heart. However, her career path took another turn in 2017 when she felt compelled to respond to her congressman’s vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act, a significant piece of legislation designed to improve access to health insurance. Motivated by this betrayal, Mucarsel-Powell decided to run against him, and in November 2018, she achieved a remarkable victory, flipping the seat from red to blue. With this win, she became the first immigrant from South America to serve in Congress.

In the aftermath of her swearing-in, she stated in a CNN interview, “If you look at my story and the things I achieved… only in this country does that happen.” She expressed pride in her identity as an immigrant and the opportunities available in the United States.

During her two years in Congress, Mucarsel-Powell made significant contributions as the vice chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. She championed various pieces of legislation focused on gun control, authored a bill to expand Medicare coverage, and led initiatives to address climate issues, including securing $200 million to aid the restoration of the Florida Everglades. However, after just one term, she faced a tough re-election campaign and ultimately lost her seat to Carlos Giménez by a narrow margin of less than four percentage points.

Now, in 2023, Mucarsel-Powell finds herself being called back into the political arena. Democratic leaders have launched an unofficial campaign to draft her into Florida’s U.S. Senate race, urging her to take on Republican Sen. Rick Scott this November. When she announced her candidacy, she chose to focus on a crucial issue affecting Floridians' health care: access to abortion.

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in June 2022 to eliminate the constitutional right to abortion, the fight for reproductive rights has emerged as a pivotal electoral issue across the United States. With Vice President Kamala Harris newly leading the Democratic ticket, enthusiasm among voters has surged, especially in Florida. However, Mucarsel-Powell faces significant hurdles.

Florida, once viewed as the quintessential swing state, has seen its electoral landscape shift as Republicans have gained strength and solidified their control. Former President Donald Trump won the state in both 2016 and 2020 by increasingly larger margins, and currently, all statewide offices are held by Republicans. Governor Ron DeSantis, in particular, has gained national prominence by turning Florida into a testing ground for ultra-conservative policies, such as the notorious “Don’t Say Gay” legislation. Despite these challenges, Mucarsel-Powell refuses to view Florida as a lost cause for Democrats.

“Unfortunately, extremists like our current governor and the former president have hijacked this state,” she asserts. “They have employed tactics of voter suppression and gerrymandering to consolidate their power. That does not reflect the true values of our diverse population.” Mucarsel-Powell believes she is uniquely qualified to help change the trajectory for Florida Democrats.

The horrific mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland ignited the youth-led March for Our Lives movement, and Mucarsel-Powell shares a deep understanding of the pain inflicted by gun violence. As a state where 21% of residents are immigrants and 30% identify as Latino, she represents a significant demographic shift as the first Latina Democratic Senate candidate. “Can you believe that?” she asks incredulously. “How is that possible?” If elected, she would not only make history as the first Latina to represent Florida in the Senate but also as only the second Latina U.S. senator in the nation’s history.

Polls indicate that Scott is currently leading the race, but Mucarsel-Powell has managed to stay close, with some recent surveys showing her trailing by as few as three percentage points. She believes that the fight for abortion rights will energize voters and sway the election in her favor. In May, a six-week abortion ban was enacted in Florida, severely limiting access for many women and threatening those from neighboring states who previously relied on Florida as a safe haven for reproductive health services. Scott’s stance on abortion has also shifted; initially, he expressed support for the six-week ban but later stated a preference for a 15-week limit.

Mucarsel-Powell finds both options unacceptable, viewing them as intrusive government interference. “It’s so central to women’s health care,” she argues. “Florida is a pro-choice state, and that sentiment is evident in the polling.” She has engaged in numerous conversations with constituents who echo these sentiments, including a man who recounted his aunt’s tragic death before Roe v. Wade due to a lack of access to reproductive health care.

Under the current Florida law, accessing abortion is nearly impossible, as many individuals do not discover they are pregnant until after the six-week mark. Survivors of rape and incest must also provide documentation to qualify for exceptions. “You are subjecting women to unimaginable trauma,” she adds. “We know this disproportionately affects low-income earners, women of color, Latina women, and Black women. Rick Scott and these extreme politicians just do not care.”

Despite these challenges, there is hope for pro-choice advocates in Florida. This November, voters will have the opportunity to approve a ballot measure aimed at restoring abortion access up to approximately 24 weeks of pregnancy. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe, similar measures in states like Kansas and Ohio have seen enthusiastic voter turnout. This fall, states including Arizona, Maryland, Nevada, New York, South Dakota, Missouri, Colorado, Montana, and Nebraska will also have ballot measures concerning abortion rights.

Mucarsel-Powell believes the Florida measure could significantly affect turnout, potentially driving voters to the polls in support of Democratic candidates. “If it passes, it will have a tremendous impact,” she says. “One clinic reported turning away 75% of its patients in just the first 20 days after the ban went into effect. There was also a staggering 575% increase in Floridians calling the National Abortion Federation hotline for support to travel out of state for services after the ban was enacted.”

The stories Mucarsel-Powell shares about women facing barriers to abortion care are heartbreaking. She recounts a woman who, unaware of the six-week limit, was told she would have to travel to Virginia for an abortion. “How is it possible that I can’t get health care in my own state?” the woman asked, reflecting the frustration many feel.

As a mother of three children, including two daughters and a son all under the age of 24, Mucarsel-Powell has had to confront the harsh realities of these laws in her family discussions. She expresses concern for her daughters’ safety, noting that data shows a correlation between abortion bans and increased violence against women. “In Latin America, they have made significant strides in legalizing abortion in countries like Colombia and Argentina, which are traditionally conservative. For my daughters to live in a state where their access to essential health care is restricted is alarming,” she says. “That freedom of choice has been stripped away from them.”

Mucarsel-Powell is hopeful that Floridians will not only approve the ballot measure but also vote for Democratic candidates to ensure long-term protection for abortion rights. “It will mean nothing if we pass this measure and then Rick Scott is reelected,” she warns, emphasizing the need for consistent advocacy for reproductive health care.

Despite the formidable challenges ahead, Mucarsel-Powell sees her candidacy as a source of inspiration for others. “So many of us women have gone to school, studied hard, and given back to our communities. We take care of our families and neighbors. Yet we are often told, ‘It’s not your time yet,’ and ‘You’re not prepared.’ But we are,” she asserts with conviction.

“I have hope because I’ve experienced the possibilities of America firsthand,” Mucarsel-Powell reflects. “When I travel across Florida, I meet people from all walks of life who share a vision of possibility and progress. Young and old, with diverse political beliefs and backgrounds, they are all united in the desire to build a better future.”

“Yes, this is a challenging race, but I know I’m not fighting alone,” she continues, her voice filled with determination. “And that gives me all the joy I need.”