In a recent development that has drawn attention from both sides of the political spectrum, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, the sole Republican member of the Florida House delegation, has opted to remain tight-lipped about her stance on the state's abortion ballot referendum. Despite repeated inquiries from POLITICO, Luna has chosen not to disclose her position on the controversial Amendment 4.

When pressed for a response, Luna emphasized her belief that the issue at hand is a matter of states' rights and questioned the wisdom of placing policy questions on the ballot. She further suggested that the medical community should engage in internal debates on the topic. Luna also referenced the Supreme Court's ruling, asserting that as a federal legislator, her opinion on the matter is inconsequential.

However, pressure is mounting from within her own party for Luna to take a definitive stance. Governor Ron DeSantis, who has actively campaigned against Amendment 4 through various means, including his state health agency and discussions with Christian groups, directly called out elected officials who had not publicly stated their position on the ballot measure. The proposed amendment would legalize abortion until viability, generally around 22 to 24 weeks of pregnancy, and afterwards if a healthcare professional deems it necessary for the mother's health.

Luna's political predicament is further compounded by the fact that she represents one of just two districts in Florida that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has targeted for a potential flip in the upcoming November elections. Her opponent, Democrat Whitney Fox, a former transportation official, has centered her campaign around reproductive rights.

Interestingly, Luna's position on abortion has evolved over time. During her initial run for Congress in 2019, she expressed opposition to abortion, consistently describing herself as "pro-life" and celebrating the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. In an interview last year, Luna recounted a college science lab experience dissecting a chicken embryo, asserting that it reinforced her belief that life begins at conception. She also indicated her support for a six-week abortion restriction in Florida and appeared to dismiss the notion of rape exceptions.

However, when directly questioned about her stance on the upcoming abortion amendment, Luna evaded providing a clear answer, claiming that she had already discussed the topic with her constituents, without elaborating further. Her campaign did not respond to subsequent inquiries seeking clarification.

In recent months, Luna has steered the conversation towards in vitro fertilization (IVF) in an attempt to shift the focus. Following a brief controversy involving her name being erroneously added to a Democratic-led IVF bill, she introduced her own legislation that would withhold federal funding from states banning IVF, citing concerns with the language of the other bill.

Anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America bestowed Luna with an A+ rating earlier this year. In response to her evasive comments, Autumn Christensen, the organization's vice president of public policy, expressed confidence that the entire Florida delegation would unite to defeat Amendment 4. Taryn Fenske, a political spokesperson for Governor DeSantis, commended lawmakers who had publicly shared their positions on the amendment and hoped that those who hadn't would do so, emphasizing the broad language of the proposal.

Meanwhile, Luna brushed off the significance of abortion rights as a determining factor for voters, stating that inflation and immigration were the primary concerns for people. She asserted that the overturning of Roe v. Wade had made it a state's rights issue, dismissing any attempts to mislead voters on the topic.

As the November elections draw nearer, Luna's refusal to disclose her stance on the abortion ballot referendum continues to draw criticism from Democrats. Lauryn Fanguen, spokesperson for the DCCC, labeled Luna as an "overzealous, anti-abortion rights extremist" who supports policies that curtail women's rights and hinder progress in Florida. In turn, Whitney Fox accused Luna of "hiding from voters" and emphasized the importance of transparency, asserting that constituents deserved to know where their representatives stood on Amendment 4.

Although Luna may believe that other issues, such as inflation and immigration, take precedence in voters' minds, it remains to be seen how her ambiguous stance on abortion will resonate with her constituents and impact her chances in the upcoming election.