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It is no exaggeration to suggest that someday the
November 2009 off-year elections may be remembered as a
turning point in recent U.S. history. Many across the
nation are encouraged, others shocked, by the pro-life
gubernatorial wins in Virginia and New Jersey.
“This election is a great
triumph for unborn children and their mothers, as well
as the vulnerable of all ages throughout the
commonwealth,” said Olivia Gans, president of Virginia
Society for Human Life. Referring to the governor-elect,
the lieutenant governor-elect, and the attorney
general-elect, Gans added, “We congratulate Bob
McDonnell, Bill Bolling, and Ken Cuccinelli for their
spectacular victories in the election and look forward
to working with these stalwart pro-life leaders.”
In addition to the statewide pro-life victories in
Virginia, there were many victories “down–ballot” in the
races for state delegates. Five pro-abortion delegates
were defeated by pro-life challengers. One prevailed by
just 16 votes against a pro-abortion NARAL-endorsed
candidate in Virginia Beach.
Moreover, while many pro-life incumbents were
overwhelmingly re-elected, two won by extremely close
margins. The results were particularly significant
because in recent years pro-abortionists had won many
contests in Virginia, both statewide and locally.
At the same time there were many great victories on
election day, there were also a few races where
pro-lifers fell short, some by just a few hundred votes.
“These razor-thin margins show
yet again how crucial it is to turn out every possible
pro-life vote at election time, Gans said. “We can never
take a victory for granted. All in all it was one of the
most satisfying election nights for the pro-life
movement in Virginia in a long time!”
In New Jersey, pro-life Governor-elect Chris Christie
(R) defeated pro-abortion incumbent Governor Jon Corzine
(D) in a close race. Corzine is a billionaire who poured
in tens of millions of his own fortune in an attempt to
win a second term.
Anne Perone, Esq., president of New Jersey Committee for
Life, said she “is pleased that
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New Jersey Committee for
Life’s State Political Committee helped elect the first
pro-life Republican to statewide office in more than a
decade.” Christie won 49% to 45% percent.
On November 3, the high profile elections in New Jersey
and Virginia received massive attention. But there were
notable elections elsewhere in the United States that
were also very encouraging to pro-lifers.
Pennsylvanians have the privilege of electing judges to
statewide appellate courts. The Pennsylvania Pro-Life
Federation Political Action Committee recommended six
candidates to these offices and five of those were
elected. Of particular note is the election of Judge
Joan Orie Melvin to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
“Attacks were actually made
against her on the basis that she was recommended by the
state’s ‘anti-choice’ organization,” said Charlene
Bashore, Esq., Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation
political director. “These efforts clearly backfired on
her opponent—they actually solidified pro-life voters
behind Judge Melvin and heightened the importance of the
election to them.”
Bashore continued, “The spurious attacks against Judge
Melvin generated intense interest in her election. It
became our PAC’s top priority. Perhaps what made the
efforts of her opponent even more deplorable was the
fact that he actually had portrayed himself as pro-life
in the past!”
On election night, just before delivering his victory
speech in New Jersey, Governor-elect Christie thanked
National Right to Life PAC and reminded us that “you
have a pro-life governor now.” Likewise, in Virginia,
Governor-elect McDonnell said, “As your governor, I will
be a defender of innocent human life.”
So nice to hear these words from victorious candidates.
They know how instrumental pro-lifers were in carrying
the day.
Looking to the future, National Right to Life PAC is
confident that if we work just as hard in 2010 as we did
in 2009, we will hear many more newly elected candidates
telling us “you have another pro-life friend in office.”
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