PRO-LIFERS SEEK INCREASE IN RIGHT-TO-LIFE GOVERNORS
By Carol Long Tobias, NRL PAC Director

The pro-life movement has an unprecedented opportunity to pick up state leaders as a number of gubernatorial elections offer a sharp contrast between pro-life and pro-abortion candidates. Thirty-six states will elect a governor November 3. Twenty-four incumbents are seeking re-election while 12 states have new faces seeking the post.

Ten states are expected to remain in pro-life hands as the incumbent governors remain strong or there are pro-life candidates leading the race. These include George W. Bush in Texas, Mike Huckabee in Arkansas, Frank Keating of Oklahoma, and Bill Janklow of South Dakota. In Iowa, former Congressman Jim Lightfoot, who almost defeated pro-abortion Sen. Tom Harkin (D) in 1996, appears likely to keep that governor's seat in pro-life hands as he fends off opposition from pro-abortion state Senator Tom Vilsack.

In Michigan, pro-life Republican Gov. John Engler is running strong against pro-abortion Democrat Geoffrey Fieger. Fieger has gained national attention as the loud, aggressive, and some would say obnoxious attorney defending Jack Kevorkian, a pathologist who has allegedly been involved in the assisted suicide deaths of over 100 people.

The pro-life movement could see big gains in eight states where pro-life and pro-abortion candidates are locked in tight races.

In California, pro-life Attorney General Dan Lungren (R) is fighting to succeed pro-abortion Republican Pete Wilson. His opponent, Democratic Lt. Gov. Gray Davis, has been endorsed by the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) and abortion is becoming a major issue in the campaign. Because Lungren opposes abortion unless the mother's life is in danger or in cases of rape or incest, his opponents have tried to label him as an "extremist."

However, in their first debate, Lungren took the opportunity to challenge Davis for opposing parental consent and supporting late-term abortions. Lungren has since started airing an ad that also challenges Davis's support for tax funding of abortion.

Pro-life businessman Jeb Bush (R) is running a strong campaign and has a great opportunity to become the next governor of Florida. Bush, who lost narrowly to pro-abortion Gov. Lawton Chiles (D) in 1994, is fending off a challenge from pro-abortion Democratic Lt. Gov. Buddy McKay. Jeb Bush is the son of former president George Bush and brother to Texas Gov. George W. Bush.

Georgia's next governor will be either pro-life businessman Guy Millner (R) or pro-abortion state Rep. Roy Barnes (D). Barnes was elected to the state legislature as "pro-life" but has since flip-flopped on abortion and now calls himself "pro-choice." Millner ran for the U.S. Senate in 1996, losing to pro-abortion Democratic Sen. Max Cleland by only 1%. This race is also expected to be close.

In Minnesota, pro-life Republican Norm Coleman, the mayor of St. Paul, is hoping to succeed retiring pro-abortion Republican Gov. Arne Carlson. He is opposed by pro-abortion state Attorney General Hubert "Skip" Humphrey III (D).

Coleman was elected mayor of St. Paul as a Democrat, but in 1997, in large part due to the Democratic Party's pro-abortion position, switched parties and became a Republican. Humphrey, son of the late U.S. Sen. Hubert Humphrey, was pro-life when he entered politics, but has flipped his position and now opposes even a ban on partial-birth abortions.

In her second attempt at the state's highest office, pro-life Ellen Sauerbrey (R) is challenging pro-abortion Democratic Gov. Parris Glendening in Maryland. Sauerbrey and Glendening met in 1994 when there was an open seat. Glendening won by less than 6,000 votes. Sauerbrey is running a strong campaign and has recently been endorsed by former Democratic Lt. Gov. Melvin Steinberg.

In Alaska, pro-life businessman John Lindauer (R) will take on pro-abortion Gov. Tony Knowles (D) and in Colorado, pro-life state Treasurer Bill Owens defeated a pro-abortion opponent on August 12 to win the Republican nomination. He faces pro- abortion Lt. Gov. Gail Schoettler (D) as they seek to succeed retiring pro-abortion Democratic Gov. Roy Romer.

In an upset in Vermont, pro-life state Rep. Ruth Dwyer defeated pro-abortion businessman Bernard Rome on September 8 to win the Republican nomination for governor. Rome spent approximately $140,000 on the race, receiving 41% of the vote, compared to the $42,000 spent by Dwyer, who received 59% of the vote.

Rome gave much of the credit for Dwyer's victory to Vermont Right to Life. The Burlington Free Press stated, "Rome said a weekend effort by Vermont Right to Life on behalf of Dwyer may have tipped the scales in her favor. Right to Life volunteers throughout the state placed leaflets on cars at churches and made calls to urge voters to support Dwyer." Dwyer will now face a tough opponent in pro-abortion Democratic Gov. Howard Dean, who has held the office since 1991.

Three pro-life Republican incumbents are facing strong challenges from their opponents. In Alabama, pro-life Gov. Fob James is being challenged by Democratic Lt. Gov. Don Siegelman. In South Carolina, pro-life Gov. David Beasley finds himself in a tough race with Jim Hodges, the pro-abortion state House Minority Leader.

Incumbent Gary Johnson of New Mexico is facing a tough battle from the former mayor of Albuquerque, pro-abortion Martin Chavez. (While Johnson doesn't label himself "pro-life," he works closely with Right to Life of New Mexico and has used his office to show strong support for pro-life legislation.)

Unfortunately, 13 states currently in pro-abortion hands are likely to stay that way. Pro-abortion governors, such as John Kitzhaber (D) in Oregon and John Rowland (R) in Connecticut, are running strong. Other pro-abortion governors who may have tough races are being opposed by pro-abortion candidates, so unborn babies lose no matter who wins.

However, pro-lifers are assured of two pick-ups. In Illinois, pro-abortion Gov. Jim Edgar (R) is retiring. Pro-life Republican George Ryan, currently secretary of state, and pro-life Democratic Congressman Glenn Poshard are battling for the seat. In Idaho, pro-abortion Gov. Phil Batt (R) is also retiring. Pro- life Republican Sen. Dirk Kempthorne is seen as the likely victor in that contest against pro-abortion attorney Democrat Robert Huntley.

States who have had pro-life legislation vetoed know how important it is to have a pro-life governor in office. This year, several states have the opportunity to elect a chief executive who will help them to create an environment in which unborn children are once again protected.