NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Democratic Party has hired a new staffer to work against a proposed constitutional amendment to give lawmakers more power to regulate abortion in the state.

Lisa Carter, who most recently worked for former Orlando, Florida, mayoral and congressional candidate Val Demings, will lead the party's efforts to defeat the constitutional amendment at the polls in November.

Party Chairman Roy Herron cited a recent Vanderbilt poll that showed wide opposition to granting state lawmakers more power over abortion laws in the state.

He also noted that the proposed amendment would allow the Legislature to put in place new laws regulating abortion even in cases of rape, incest or danger to the health of the mother.

Herron said the amendment is opposed by both abortion rights supporters and opponents on the state Executive Committee.