Demonstrators protest about abortion outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Friday, June 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

The news that the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade brought a mix of reactions Friday in southwest Minnesota — some positive, some disappointed. But it still remains to be seen whether the decision will have an effect on Minnesota politics and law.

“Voters are likely to hear more ‘pro-life’ and ‘pro-choice’ messaging than before because both of the major parties are eager to turn out their core supporters this November. However, public opinion surveys show that voters are cross-pressured on this issue,” said David Sturrock, political science professor at Southwest Minnesota State University.

“While there is a consistent majority that supports the Roe v. Wade ruling there have long been cross-cutting blocs that are open to various limitations on that access.”

Sturrock shared a poll from earlier this month, that was commissioned by Minnesota-based news website MinnPost. The poll found that 67% of likely Minnesota voters were against a complete ban on abortions. Poll respondents showed high levels of support for abortion in some situations, including to save the life of the mother, MinnPost reported.

The opposition to an abortion ban was stronger in the Twin Cities, at 75%, than it was in greater Minnesota, at 61%, poll results said.

In Minnesota, abortion is currently protected by a 1995 state Supreme Court ruling. The state does have restrictions on abortions, including a 24-hour waiting period, parental notification for minors, and a requirement that the abortion be performed by a physician.

Area legislators said Friday that while they were pro-life, they didn’t know if the Supreme Court’s ruling would encourage Minnesotans to call for changes to current state abortion laws.

“I don’t think it was a real surprise,” Sen. Gary Dahms, R-Redwood Falls, said of Friday’s ruling. Earlier this spring, a leaked draft of the ruling showed that Roe v. Wade might be overturned, he said.

“It’s my understanding that what is in each state will still stand,” Dahms said. “We’ll see how it plays out.”

“I’ve always been a pro-life individual,” Dahms said. He said he also thought the Supreme Court had the right to change a previous ruling.

Rep. Chris Swedzinski, R-Ghent, also said he was happy with the Supreme Court’s decision.

“This is fixing a mistaken finding 50 years ago,” Swedzinski said. He said abortion wasn’t a constitutional right, and it was correct to leave the decision up to U.S. states.

Area Democratic party leaders said Friday that they were concerned about Roe v. Wade being overturned.

“I’m disappointed by the ruling,” said Anita Gaul, chairwoman of the Lyon County DFL. Gaul said the court ruling was stripping away a constitutional right.

“I do think it’s going to galvanize voters, no matter what side of the issue they’re on,” she said.

Rosemary Martin, chairwoman of the Senate District 15 DFL, said the party’s platform supported the right to have legal abortions. After the new Supreme Court decision, “the fight will continue,” she said.

Martin said overturning Roe v. Wade would have a serious impact on women’s health.

“It will absolutely kill women,” Martin said. Martin said she worked as a nurse’s aide in southwest Minnesota when she was younger, and she saw patients who suffered dangerous conditions like sepsis after having botched abortions.

“When Roe v. Wade was passed I had mixed emotions, but I realize it saved lives,” she said.

On Friday, Gov. Tim Walz reacted to the Supreme Court ruling on Twitter, stating that as long as he is governor, “We will not turn back the clock on reproductive rights.” Meanwhile, Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Jensen released a statement Friday saying he wanted to “seek out loving and caring alternatives” to abortion, including universal adoption, family planning, counseling and medical assistance.

Abortion rights advocacy group Unrestrict Minnesota counts eight abortion providers in the state. Most are located in the Twin Cities area, with one provider in Duluth and one in Rochester. On Friday, the Fargo Forum newspaper reported that North Dakota’s only abortion clinic would move from Fargo to Moorhead, Minn., after an abortion ban takes effect in North Dakota.