Abortion has been a contentious issue for Republicans since Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court. However, in Virginia, the party believes it has found a strategy to combat their losses. Governor Glenn Youngkin has led a campaign supporting a 15-week abortion ban with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. The party is framing this as a “common sense” position compared to Democrats, who they claim “support no limits.” This approach aims to change the perception of Republicans as extremists on the issue and win over swing voters. Legislative races in Virginia will test this strategy, and if successful, it could pave the way for further abortion restrictions in the state. Youngkin’s political action committee has launched an ad campaign promoting the 15-week limit with exceptions as a “reasonable” and “common sense” position. The hope is that this approach will resonate with voters who prioritize other issues such as crime and the economy. Democrats, on the other hand, argue that the existing Virginia laws, which allow abortions with no restrictions through the second trimester and afterward under certain circumstances, should be maintained. They believe that a 15-week ban is a deceptive tactic that could lead to stricter limits in the future if Republicans gain control. While a 15-week ban polls well in some surveys, Democrats still maintain a slight advantage in voter trust on the issue. Republicans are betting that by neutralizing the abortion issue with independent voters and focusing on other issues they can gain an advantage in the elections. Candidates like Danny Diggs, a Republican running for State Senate in Newport News, have aligned themselves with the 15-week ban in their campaigns. Overall, Republicans are hoping that this strategy will help them gain control of the state’s General Assembly and implement stricter abortion restrictions in Virginia.