Former Alabama Justice Faces Backlash Over IVF Ruling

Conservative IVF parents launch campaign against Jay Mitchell's attorney general bid

Mar. 19, 2026 at 8:51pm

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The former Alabama Supreme Court justice who wrote a controversial ruling that temporarily halted in vitro fertilization services in the state is now running for state attorney general. A group of conservative IVF parents has launched a campaign against him, accusing him of going against President Trump's support for IVF.

Why it matters

The Alabama attorney general would be responsible for enforcing state laws, including those related to reproductive health. The group of IVF parents is concerned that having someone with Mitchell's past ruling in that powerful position could threaten access to IVF treatments in the state.

The details

In 2024, Jay Mitchell wrote the majority opinion in a ruling that classified frozen embryos as people, prompting three of the state's largest IVF treatment providers to halt care out of fear of wrongful death lawsuits. This decision led to widespread public outcry and an effort at the Alabama statehouse to pass a bill protecting IVF treatments, which was signed into law by Republican Gov. Kay Ivey.

  • In 2024, Mitchell wrote the majority opinion classifying frozen embryos as people.
  • Shortly after the 2024 ruling, the Alabama legislature passed a bill protecting IVF treatments, which was signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey.

The players

Jay Mitchell

A former Alabama Supreme Court justice who wrote the controversial ruling that temporarily halted in vitro fertilization services in the state. He is now running for state attorney general.

Alabama Families for IVF

A conservative grassroots coalition of parents who relied on in vitro fertilization to build their families. The group is airing ads against Mitchell's attorney general bid.

Katelanne Fadalla

An IVF parent who chairs the Alabama Families for IVF group.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who declared his support for IVF after the 2024 ruling and called on the Alabama legislature to find a solution to preserve the availability of IVF in the state.

Kay Ivey

The Republican governor of Alabama who signed the bill protecting IVF treatments after the legislature passed it.

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What’s next

The Republican primary for Alabama attorney general, which includes Mitchell, will take place on May 19.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over the legal status of embryos and the potential impact on access to IVF treatments, as well as the role of the attorney general in enforcing reproductive health laws.