Anti-abortion activists view Josh Hawley as potential 2028 presidential contender

The anti-abortion movement, which backed former Vice President Mike Pence in 2024, is now looking toward Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri as a potential standard-bearer for the cause. Hawley and his spouse Erin have coordinated legal and legislative attacks on medication abortion, with Erin arguing before the Supreme Court for the Alliance Defending Freedom and Hawley introducing the Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act to revoke FDA clearance of mifepristone.

Their Love Life Initiative, launched in December 2025, tracks pro-life ballot measures nationwide. While some leaders praise Hawley’s actions, they stop short of declaring him the definitive 2028 candidate, noting that the broader anti-abortion vote may not be sufficient to overcome the party’s Trump-centric dynamics. Analysts caution that a purely pro-life stance may not guarantee success in a primary where voters have tolerated policy deviations under Trump. Nonetheless, activists believe a competitive primary could push the eventual nominee toward stronger pro-life positions.