This is a huge election for the pro-life movement at both the federal and state level. As you’re watching the returns, let us provide you a little background so you have some idea of what you’re watching (other than the Presidential race, of course).
US Senate:
There are 35 races this year – 33 regular races and 2 special races (MS, WY). There currently are 44 solid pro-life seats in the Senate – 18 are up for contention and eight are at significant risk.
Ted Stevens – Alaska
Open seat - Colorado
Chambliss – Georgia
Norm Coleman – Minnesota
Elizabeth Dole – North Carolina
John Sununu – New Hampshire
Open seat – New Mexico
Open seat – Virginia
Remember that 41 votes are necessary to be able to filibuster pro-abortion measures.
US House:
Currently we have 185 solidly pro-life members of the House and 32 nominally pro-life members. Most at risk House seats have a pro-abortion challenger. 218 votes are necessary to win in the House.
Governor:
There are 11 races up for grabs tonight. 5 are controlled by pro-life Governors. 5 are pro-abortion. Jim Douglas of Vermont has a mixed record.
Races to watch are:
Missouri – Matt Blunt decided not to run again. Jay Nixon, the current pro-abortion Attorney General, is favored to win, especially if Obama pulls off a win in the state.
Montana – Pro-life candiate Roy Brown is trying to unseat pro-abort Brian Schweitzer – long shot but worth keeping an eye on.
North Carolina – Pat McCrory and Bev Perdue is vying for pro-abort Michael Easley’s seat. Perdue is a top priority of national pro-abortion organizations trying to put a pro-abortion woman in a typically pro-life state.
Washington – Pro-life candidate Dino Rossi lost to pro-abortion candidate Christine Gregoire by about 130 votes in 2004. This is the anticipated rematch. Both candidates came out against I-1000, Washington’s assisted suicide ballot initiative.
Attorney General:
There are 9 races up for grabs tonight. Two are controlled by pro-lifers. Six are pro-aborton. Rob McKenna from Washington is mixed.
Races to watch are:
Indiana: Pro-lifer Greg Zoeller is battling Linda Pence for the position vacated by pro-life AG Steve Carter.
Missouri: Pro-lifer Mike Gibbons is contesting Chris Koster for the position Jay Nixon is vacating.
Montana: Tim Fox is contesting incumbent pro-abortion AG Mike McGrath – a long shot, but worth watching.
North Carolina: Bob Crumley is contesting pro-abortion AG Roy Cooper. Cooper has been AG since 2000.
Ohio: Mike Crites is vying for the office against Rich Cordray for the office Marc Dann left in disgrace earlier this year.
West Virginia: Bob Greear is challenging long-term pro-abortion AG Darrell McGraw. McGraw has been AG since 1992.
State Legislatures
75% of all state legislative seats will be decided tonight. Democrats currently have 55% of all seats. Alabama, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia are the only states w/o legislative elections this year.
For full post-election analysis, join the AUL post-election conference call at 3pm tomorrow. Register at: http://tinyurl.com/5gfebx
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