Pro-Life Landslide in
Historic WV Election
(Morgantown, WV-Nov. 5, 2014)
It was truly an historic election, not only in West Virginia, but across the country. As polling places in the Mountain State were closing, Fox News announced pro-life WV Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito’s projected election to U.S. Senate. Her confirmed 62-34% margin of victory would follow in short order. Senator-elect Capito becomes the first woman senator ever from West Virginia. A second historic event occurred as pro-life State Senator Evan Jenkins was able to beat Nick Rahall (an incumbent since 1977) in the 3rd Congressional District by 10 percentage points. Alex Mooney won the seat vacated by Capito in the 2nd Congressional District and David McKinley held his seat in the 1st Congressional District, thus completing the pro-life sweep of the entire slate of federal candidates, all of whom were endorsed by West Virginians for Life.
Among statewide races, WVL PAC enjoyed a 72% success rate.
Of the 17 WV Senate races in which endorsements were made, 10 were winners. Of the seven WVL PAC losses, at least four of those winners are also pro-life. This means that 14 newly elected or reelected pro-life senators will join the already 13 pro-life senators allowing for a total of 27 out of 34 senators, who support pro-life policies. (See overview of state Senate pro-life wins below).
WVL PAC can report a 74% winning percentage in the House of Delegates. The PAC endorsed in 65 of 67 districts. Seventy of the 94 pro-life candidates endorsed, won their races. Of the 24 WVL PAC losses, at least nine winners are also pro-life. Translated – nearly 4/5 of the State House will be pro-life as the next legislative session begins in January 2015. Of historical significance, the WV House has not seen a Republican majority since the 1930’s. The results of the November 4 election are 64 Republicans and 36 Democrats. (See overview of West Virginia House pro-life victories below).
Wanda Franz, Ph.D., President of West Virginians for Life PAC, had this to say: “WVL PAC is non-partisan and works to support pro-life candidates from both parties. The overwhelming Republican successes in this election are, in part, due to voters’ desire to elect legislators at both the federal and state levels, who reflect their values regarding the dignity of each human life. West Virginians for Life looks forward to seeing increased support for pro-life legislation in next year’s West Virginia legislative session.”
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