¶ Overview
As a member of the state legislature, Petersen voted multiple times against legislation affirming abortion rights and for legislation that increased abortion restrictions. Petersen voted against repealing a near-total abortion ban, and co-sponsored legislation banning abortions after 15 weeks and mailing abortion drugs. Petersen also co-sponsored legislation protecting fetuses “born alive” from an abortion. When Attorney General Kris Mayes refused to defend abortion restrictions the ACLU challenged as unconstitutional, Petersen used taxpayer dollars to hire private lawyers to defend the laws.
Petersen also used extreme anti-abortion rhetoric, calling abortions “heinous” and accusing Planned Parenthood of “murdering babies.” After Arizona voters approved an abortion rights amendment, Petersen defended existing laws that contradicted the amendment and criticized Mayes for wanting to strike them down. Petersen advocated for the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and once it was overturned, celebrated the Arizona Supreme Court determining that an 1864 near-total abortion ban could go into effect. Petersen also associated with anti-abortion organizations and dismissed the need for legislation protecting access to contraception.
¶ Petersen Voted For And Defended Legislation Increasing Abortion Restrictions And Voted Against Legislation Affirming Abortion Rights
¶ Petersen Used Taxpayer Dollars To Defend Laws Barring Nurse Practitioners From Providing Abortions
¶ Petersen And Montenegro Hired Private Lawyers Using Taxpayer Dollars To Defend Abortion Laws Mayes And The ACLU Challenged As Unconstitutional
May 2026: Petersen And House Speaker Steve Montenegro Hired Private Lawyers Using Taxpayer Dollars To Defend State Laws Barring Nurse Practitioners From Providing Abortion Services After Mayes Sided With The ACLU’s Challenge Calling The Laws Unconstitutional. According to the Arizona Capitol Times, “Mayes has decided to side with attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union who are challenging state laws that bar certain ‘advanced practice clinicians’ like specially trained nurse practitioners from providing abortion services. And she is asking — as are the challengers — that Maricopa County Superior Court Judge John Blanchard declare the restrictions unconstitutional. [...] That, in turn, has resulted in House Speaker Steve Montenegro and Senate President Warren Petersen hiring their own private lawyers, at taxpayer expense, who, on their behalf, are asking Blanchard to toss the case.” [Arizona Capitol Times, 5/13/26]
¶ Petersen And Montenegro Argued The Laws Did Not Interfere With The Right To An Abortion And Any Restrictions Were “Justified By A Compelling State Interest”
Petersen And Montenegro Argued The Laws Did Not Interfere With The Right To An Abortion And Any Restrictions Were “Justified By A Compelling State Interest That Is Achieved By The Least Restrictive Means.” According to the Arizona Capitol Times, “Montenegro and Petersen, through their lawyers, are taking a contrary position. ‘None of the challenged provisions denies, restricts, or interferes with the right to abortion,’ they are telling Blanchard. And if that argument doesn’t work, they have another one — one linked to the exception within the amendment. They contend that, if nothing else, each of the restrictions ‘is justified by a compelling state interest that is achieved by the least restrictive means.’ But the legal papers filed so far on their behalf do not explain that claim.” [Arizona Capitol Times, 5/13/26]
¶ Petersen Voted Against Repealing A Near-Total Abortion Ban
February 2024: Petersen Voted Against Repealing A Near-Total Abortion Ban That Only Provided Exceptions If “Necessary To Save The Woman’s Life.” In 2024, according to the Arizona State Legislature, Petersen voted against HB 2677, which, “Repeals criminal statute prohibiting abortion-related conduct that is not necessary to save the life of the mother. History Under A.R.S. § 13-3603, it is a criminal offense punishable by 2-5 years in prison for a person to provide, supply or administer to a pregnant woman, or procure the woman to take any medicine, drugs or substance, or use or employ any instrument or other means whatever, with the intent to procure the miscarriage of the woman, unless it is necessary to save the woman's life.” HB 2677 passed the state Senate by a vote of 16 to 14 and the state House by a vote of 32-28, and Governor Hobbs signed the bill into law. [Arizona State Legislature – HB 2677 (2024), Introduced 1/29/24; Arizona Senate Vote, 5/1/24]
¶ Petersen Co-Sponsored Bans On Abortions After 15 Weeks And Mailing Abortion Drugs
January 2022: Petersen Co-Sponsored Legislation Establishing An Abortion Ban On Fetuses With A Gestational Age Of Greater Than 15 Weeks “Except In A Medical Emergency.” In 2022, according to the Arizona State Legislature, Petersen co-sponsored SB 1164, which stated, “A. Except in a medical emergency, a physician may not perform, induce or attempt to perform or induce an abortion unless the physician or the referring physician has first made a determination of the probable gestational age of the unborn human being and documented that gestational age in the maternal patient's chart and, if required, in a report required to be filed with the department as set forth in subsection c of this section. The determination of probable gestational age shall be made according to standard medical practices and techniques used in the medical community. B. Except in a medical emergency, a physician may not intentionally or knowingly perform, induce or attempt to perform or induce an abortion if the probable gestational age of the unborn human being has been determined to be greater than fifteen weeks.” SB 1164 passed the state Senate by a vote of 16-13 and the state House by a vote of 31-26, and Governor Ducey signed the bill into law. [Arizona State Legislature – SB 1164 (2022), Introduced 1/13/22; Arizona Senate Vote, 2/15/22]
April 2021: Petersen Co-Sponsored A Bill Requiring Cremation Or Burial Of Fetal Remains And Prohibiting Mailing Abortion Inducing Drugs. In 2021, according to the Arizona State Legislature, Petersen co-sponsored SB 1457, which, “Requires the director of the Arizona Department of Health Services to adopt rules relating to the final disposition of bodily remains, that at a minimum, require: a) The final disposition of bodily remains from a surgical abortion be by cremation or interment; or b) For a surgical abortion, the woman on whom the abortion is performed has the right the determine the method and location for final disposition of bodily remains. (Sec. 8) […] 16. Prohibits a manufacturer, supplier, physician or any other person from providing an abortion inducing drug via courier or mail service. (Sec. 13)” SB 1457 passed the state Senate by a vote of 16-14 and the state House by a vote of 31-29, and Governor Ducey signed the bill into law. [Arizona State Legislature – SB 1457 (2021), Introduced 1/27/21; Arizona Senate Vote, 4/22/21]
¶ Petersen Co-Sponsored Legislation Protecting Fetuses “Born Alive” From An Abortion
February 2023: Petersen Co-Sponsored Legislation Establishing Requirements That Health Professionals Provide “Medically Appropriate And Reasonable Care And Treatment” To Fetuses “Born Alive […] During The Course Of An Abortion.” In 2023, according to the Arizona State Legislature, Petersen co-sponsored SB 1600, which stated, “A. Any infant who is born alive, including one born during the course of an abortion, shall be treated as a legal person under the laws of this state and shall have the same rights to medically appropriate and reasonable care and treatment. Birth and death certificates shall be issued for the infant, as appropriate. B. Any health professional who is present at the time an infant is born alive shall take all medically appropriate and reasonable actions to preserve the life and health of the infant who is born alive. C. A health professional may not deprive any infant who is born alive, whether or not the infant is likely to survive, of medically appropriate and reasonable medical care or treatment.” SB 1600 passed the state Senate by a vote of 16-13 and the state House by a vote of 32-26, but Governor Hobbs vetoed the bill. [Arizona State Legislature – SB 1600 (2023), Introduced 2/1/23; Arizona Senate Vote, 2/22/23]
January 2021: Petersen Co-Sponsored Legislation Supporting “The Enactment Of The Born-Alive Infants Protection Act And The Ensuring Accurate And Complete Abortion Data Reporting Act Of 2019.” In 2021, according to the Arizona State Legislature, Petersen co-sponsored SCR 1009, which, “States that the Legislature strongly supports the enactment of the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act and the Ensuring Accurate and Complete Abortion Data Reporting Act of 2019. 2. Requires the Arizona Secretary of State to transmit copies of this resolution to the Governor, President of the United States (U.S.), President of the U.S. Senate, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and each Member of Congress from Arizona.” SCR 1009 passed the state Senate by a vote of 16-14 and the state house by a vote of 31-29, and was transmitted to the Secretary of State. [Arizona State Legislature – SCR 1009 (2021), Introduced 1/13/21; Arizona Senate Vote, 2/24/21]
¶ Petersen Voted For Legislation Allowing Health Care Entities To Deny Abortions Based On “Moral, Ethical, And Religious Objections”
March 2021: Petersen Voted For A Bill Allowing Health Care Entities To Deny Abortion Services Or “Related Medications And Devices” Based On “Moral, Ethical, And Religious Objections.” In 2021, according to the Arizona State Legislature, Petersen voted for SB 1362, which, “Allows specified health care entities, professionals, employees, schools and students to assert moral, ethical and religious objections to abortion and related medications and devices. […] Permits a student to state a moral, ethical or religious objection to facilitating or participating in an abortion or providing abortion medication or device intended to inhibit or prevent implantation of a fertilized ovum.” SB 1362 passed the state Senate by a vote of 16-14 but died in the state House. [Arizona State Legislature – SB 1362 (2021), Introduced 1/26/21; Arizona Senate Vote, 3/8/21]
¶ Petersen Used Extreme Anti-Abortion Rhetoric
¶ Petersen Was An “Anti-Choice Extremist” And Called Abortions “Heinous”
Petersen Said Abortion Providers Did Not Want Any Abortion Restrictions “No Matter How Reckless It Is, No Matter How Dangerous It Is For Women,” Because They Would Not Make As Much Money, And Said It Was Important To “Keep The Protections Of Informed Consent,” Even If “Heinous” Abortions Were Legal. According to Petersen on Into the Fire, “HOST: They don't want it to be the case for abortion because that's money. They want to be selling those things. Yeah. Or even, you know, I remember some of the laws of like making sure that the hallways were wide enough for a gurney to get through in case there was an emergency. They don't want that. You know, all of these. Right. Making sure that doctors have hospital admitting privileges in case something kind of an emergency happens. So things that aren't directly related to access of abortion are even. They don't want it because it infringes on their benefit. PETERSEN: They want there to be absolutely, you know, nothing, no matter how reckless it is, no matter how dangerous it is for women, informed consent clearly is not abortion. Informed consent is informed consent because you can have it with everything. So the point is, you need to continue to keep the protections of informed consent, even if this, you know heinous thing is now legal.” [Warren Petersen – Into the Fire, 4/2/26] (AUDIO)
The Arizona Choice Tracker Categorized Petersen As “An Anti-Choice Extremist.” According to the Arizona Choice Tracker, “Warren Petersen Republican An Anti-Choice Extremist […] They have led efforts to limit abortion rights. They may also have expressed especially extreme beliefs, such as supporting total bans starting at 6 weeks or earlier, or not allowing for common exceptions.” [Arizona Choice Tracker, Archived 4/22/26]
¶ Petersen Defended Arizona Statutes That Contradicted The State’s Abortion Rights Amendment And Criticized Mayes For Wanting To Strike Them Down
2025: Petersen Defended Arizona Statutes That “Ban The Mailing And Prescription Of Abortion Pills Via Telehealth; Forbid Abortions Because Of A Fetal Genetic Abnormality; And Require An Ultrasound [And] A 24-Hour Delay,” Despite Arizonans Voting To Make Abortion Access A Fundamental Right. According to the Arizona Mirror, “But after voters in 2024 agreed to make abortion access a fundamental right in the Arizona Constitution, the legal status of dozens of laws regulating and restricting abortion became questionable. When Republican lawmakers, who control the Arizona legislature and have the power to overturn state laws, refused to do so, abortion rights groups went to court seeking judicial rulings to nullify them instead. Over the course of three evidentiary hearings in November, attorneys for two local abortion providers argued that the laws violate the state’s newly adopted right to abortion. Among the restrictions they challenged are statutes that ban the mailing and prescription of abortion pills via telehealth; forbid abortions because of a fetal genetic abnormality; and require an ultrasound, a 24-hour delay and the recitation of state-mandated information before a procedure can be performed. […] Because the right to abortion is now a part of the Arizona Constitution, the burden of proving that the remaining laws restricting how and when a woman can obtain an abortion are still lawful is on the GOP leaders who intervened in the case. In November, the legal team for Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Steve Montenegro primarily sought to build that proof by poking holes in the assertions from abortion rights attorneys that the challenged laws are always flying in the face of the new fundamental right.” [Arizona Mirror, 1/15/26]
2026: Petersen Criticized Mayes For Wanting To Strike Down Laws That Conflict With Arizona’s Abortion Rights Amendment, And Said He Supported Upholding “Informed Consent” Laws And Restrictions On Abortion Providers Because “They Are So Dangerous And […] You Shouldn’t Just Be Able To Let Any Person Do That.” According to Petersen on Into the Fire, “And of course, I know you've mentioned before on the life laws, anything that's, um, you know, collateral or not directly, uh, head on conflict with Prop 139. Those laws should be upheld. Her position is all of those laws should be struck down. I disagree. You know, things like informed consent, things like who is performing these abortions. They are so dangerous and they, you know, you shouldn't just be able to let any person do that.” [Warren Petersen – Into the Fire, 4/2/26] (AUDIO)
¶ Petersen Said He Had “Hoped That It Was Going To Happen” When The Arizona Supreme Court Ruled In Favor Of An 1864 Near-Total Abortion Ban
2024: After The Arizona Supreme Court Decided An 1864 Near-Total Abortion Ban Superseded The State’s 15-Week Limit, Petersen Said He Had “Hoped That It Was Going To Happen” And Was “Looking Forward To A Day Where We Could Protect Life.” According to KTAR News, “‘It was hoped that it was going to happen by pro-lifers, myself included,’ Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show. ‘We were looking forward to a day where we could protect life.’ The state Supreme Court decided that the near-total ban, which originated in 1864, before Arizona was a state, should supersede a 15-week limit passed by Republican lawmakers, including Petersen, in 2022.” [KTAR News, 4/10/24]
¶ Petersen Claimed His Constituents Were “Not Asking About Contraceptives,” But Told Them To “Be Responsible” Because Birth Control Was “Still Legal In Arizona,” But “Abortion Is Not”
2024: Petersen Claimed His Constituents Were “Not Asking About Contraceptives” After The Right To Contraception Act Died In The State Legislature. According to the Arizona Mirror, “Dubbed ‘The Right to Contraception Act,’ the proposal sought to protect the ability of Arizonans to obtain all forms of birth control, including Plan B, and guarantee the right of health care providers to prescribe contraceptives or give information about them to patients. It would also have outlawed any attempt to limit or infringe on a person’s ability to access contraceptives or a doctor’s ability to offer them. Both the Senate and House versions of the act were assigned to several committees, but neither was given a single hearing. […] Senate President Warren Petersen told the Arizona Mirror that the party is focused on addressing voter concerns, and contraception access isn’t on the list. ‘Our constituents are not asking about contraceptives,’ he said. ‘They are worried about the border, public safety, the economy and inflation. We are putting those on (Hobbs’) desk now.’” [Arizona Mirror, 3/7/24
2022: Petersen Said Arizonans Needed To “Be Responsible” Because Birth Control Was “Still Legal In Arizona,” But “Abortion Is Not.” According to Petersen’s Twitter, “Birth control is still legal in Arizona. Abortion is not. Be responsible. There are a lot of options. Birth control does not require taking the life of a child.”
[Twitter, @votewarren, 6/27/22]
¶ Petersen Accused Planned Parenthood Of “Murdering Babies”
2020: Petersen Called For Shutting Down Planned Parenthood During The COVID-19 Lockdown Because “Murdering Babies Is Not An Essential Business.” According to Petersen’s Twitter, “Murdering babies is not an essential business. Shut down Planned Parenthood.”
[Twitter, @votewarren, 3/30/20]
¶ Petersen Celebrated Arizona Being Named The “Most Pro-Life State” And Said It Would “Be One Of The First States” To Restrict Abortion Rights Following The Overturning Of Roe V. Wade
2018: Petersen Celebrated Americans United For Life Naming Arizona The “Most Pro-Life State” And Credited The State’s “Conservative Legislature And Organizations Like Center For Arizona Policy.” According to Petersen’s Facebook, “Arizona named most pro-life state thanks to a conservative legislature and organizations like Center for Arizona Policy.”
[Facebook, Warren Petersen for Attorney General, 1/17/18]
2018: Petersen Said It Was Important To Nominate An Anti-Abortion Supreme Court Justice To Overturn Roe V. Wade, And Said Arizona Would “Be One Of The First States To Make Sure Babies’ Right To Live Will Be Protected.” According to Petersen’s Facebook, “I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July! When Jefferson penned the Declaration he proclaimed that our first inalienable God given right is life. In the next couple weeks a nominee will be named for the Supreme Court. This will have lasting implications including a real opportunity to overturn Roe v. Wade. Norma McCorvey (Jane Roe) the plaintiff in Roe v. Wade has become a strong advocate of life and has dedicated her life to undoing the law that bears her name. Norma may get her wish and I assure you that Arizona will be one of the first states to make sure babies' right to live will be protected.”
[Facebook, Warren Petersen for Attorney General, 7/5/18]
¶ Petersen Associated With Anti-Abortion Organizations
¶ Arizona Right To Life Endorsed Petersen
2016: Arizona Right To Life Endorsed Petersen For State Senate. According to Petersen’s Facebook, “Arizona Right Life endorses Warren Petersen for State Senate, Eddie Farnsworth for House and Travis Grantham for AZ House LD12. Life is our foremost God given inalienable right. Every life is precious and I will continue to work hard with my colleagues to protect the sanctity of life.”
[Facebook, Warren Petersen for Attorney General, 8/12/16]
¶ Petersen Attended An Event With First Way Pregnancy Center Which Spread Abortion Misinformation Including Abortion Reversal Procedures
2015: Petersen Attended A First Way Pregnancy Center Event Where A Speaker Claimed To Have “Reversed Their Abortion And Now Have A Beautiful Baby.” According to Petersen’s Facebook, “Phenomenal event tonight put on by First Way Pregnancy center with Christine Accurso and Rick Santorum. They are succeeding where planned parenthood have failed and without federal funds. Tonight we heard a touching story from a couple that reversed their abortion and now have a beautiful baby.”
[Facebook, Warren Petersen for Attorney General, 10/2/15]