Races Underway as Control of Senate Up for Grabs

By Carol Tobias, NRL PAC Director

With Democrats holding a narrow one-seat margin in the Senate, attention is focused on what promises to be an exceptionally competitive election cycle. So far, three states - - California, Illinois, and Texas--have held primaries, with the remainder to follow beginning in May and extending through October.

Highlighting the elections this year are several races that will determine control of the U.S. Senate. Although 34 Senate seats are in play this year, most of the energy and attention will be focused on roughly a dozen races.

So far, there are four senators who are not seeking re-election. All four are pro-life Republicans - - Jesse Helms (NC), Strom Thurmond (SC), Fred Thompson (Tn.), and Phil Gramm (Tx.).

In North Carolina, 16 candidates are running for the Republican and Democratic nominations. The leading Republican contender is pro-life Elizabeth Dole, former cabinet secretary in both the Reagan and the first Bush administrations, and wife of former senator and 1996 GOP presidential nominee Robert Dole.

The Democrats have three major competitors, all of whom have a pro-abortion position. They are former Clinton Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles, North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, and state Rep. Dan Blue.

The North Carolina primary had originally been scheduled for May 7. Court challenges over the redistricting lines forced a postponement.

South Carolina's Senate seat will be a battle between pro-life Republican Congressman Lindsey Graham and Democrat Alex Sanders, former College of Charleston president.

In Tennessee, pro-life Congressman Ed Bryant and former governor and presidential candidate Lamar Alexander will battle each other for the Republican nomination. Congressman Bob Clement, who has a mixed voting record on abortion, will likely be the Democratic nominee. The Tennessee primaries will be held August 1.

The open seat in Texas will be between pro-life attorney general John Cornyn (R) and the pro-abortion former mayor of Dallas, Ron Kirk (D).

Several pro-abortion senators seeking re-election find themselves facing tough pro-life challengers. In Minnesota, pro- abortion Senator Paul Wellstone (D) is facing a spirited challenge from pro-life Norm Coleman (R), the former mayor of St. Paul. Polls have shown this race to be very close, with recent polls showing Coleman with a slight lead.

Missouri's pro-abortion Senator Jean Carnahan (D) will have a tough battle with pro-life Jim Talent (R). Talent was in the House of Representatives until 2000, when he narrowly lost a bid for governor.

In South Dakota, pro-abortion Senator Tim Johnson (D) finds himself in a very competitive race with pro-life Congressman John Thune (R). In Georgia, pro-abortion Senator Max Cleland (D) will face pro-life Congressman Saxby Chambliss (R).

Another high-profile race will take place in Iowa, where two Republicans are vying for the nomination against pro-abortion Senator Tom Harkin (D). Pro-life farmer and former Marine Bill Salier is challenging Congressman Greg Ganske, who has a mostly pro-life voting record. The Iowa primary is June 4.

Montana's June 4 primary will determine who will face pro- abortion Senator Max Baucus (D). The likely Republican nominee will be pro-life state senator Mike Taylor.

Unfortunately, there are some pro-life incumbents who will also have tough re-election battles. Arkansas Senator Tim Hutchinson (R) finds himself in a tight race with attorney general Mark Pryor (D), son of former Senator David Pryor. Mark Pryor says he is "personally opposed" to abortion but that "women should be able to make that decision."

In New Hampshire, pro-life Senator Bob Smith is being challenged for the Republican nomination by pro-life Congressman John Sununu. The winner of the September primary will come up against pro-abortion Governor Jeanne Shaheen. Shaheen has already been endorsed by EMILY's List, a PAC that helps only pro-abortion Democratic women.

Pro-life Colorado Senator Wayne Allard (R) finds himself in a re- match with pro-abortion attorney Tom Strickland (D). Allard defeated Strickland in 1996.

March Primaries

In California, pro-abortion Rep. Gary Condit (D) became the first incumbent to be defeated this year, losing to pro-abortion state assemblyman Dennis Cardoza (D). Cardoza will face pro-life state Senator Richard Monteith (R) in November.

With pro-abortion Rep. Steve Horn (R) retiring and California gaining a seat in redistricting, it means the state has two seats with no incumbents. Pro-life dairy farmer Devin Nunes (R) is expected to win one seat while the other will likely be won by pro-abortion Linda Sanchez (D), sister of pro-abortion Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez.

Illinois lost a congressional district due to redistricting, setting up a match between two pro-life members of the House. Rep. John Shimkus (R) and Rep. David Phelps (D), both from the southern part of Illinois, will battle in November for the 19th district.

Texas gained two seats due to redistricting. Both seats are likely to be won by pro-life Republicans. Jeb Hensarling, a former aide to Senator Phil Gramm (R), is favored to win one of the open seats, while judge John Carter is favored in the second new seat.

Pro-life House Majority Rep. Leader Rep. Dick Armey of Texas is retiring. Pro-life doctor Michael Burgess is expected to win this heavily Republican district.

Also in Texas, pro-abortion Congressman Ken Bentsen (D) gave up his seat for an unsuccessful bid for the Senate. His district will be contested this fall by pro-life insurance executive Tom Reiser (R) and pro-abortion Houston city council member Chris Bell (D).

Elections are well underway with action to pick up considerably in the months to come.

Pro-lifers need to be geared up and ready to go when the primary rolls around to their state, with an eye on the November 5 general election.