PRO-LIFERS ADD TO NUMBERS IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

By Carol Tobias
NRL PAC Director

While the election of pro-life senators took center stage and garnered the top headlines, pro-life candidates for the House of Representatives were also having a banner night. Of the 52 new members in the House, 34 are solidly pro-life. Of these 34, 31 are Republicans and three are Democrats.

Due to redistricting and the retirement of several pro-life congressmen, the 34 new pro-life members will mostly replenish the ranks of pro-life House seats. Overall, pro-lifers are up two to five votes in the House, depending on the issue being voted on.

Over all, National Right to Life PAC won 64 of 82 (78%) races in which it was involved. In comparison, the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) won only one of the 20 "key races" listed on its web site--Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa).

National Right to Life is especially pleased to welcome a number of new pro-life women to Congress. Along with Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), who won the open Senate seat in North Carolina, new pro-life House members are Katherine Harris (R-Fl.), Candice Miller (R-Mi.), Marilyn Musgrave (R-Co.), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tn.).

EMILY's List, a political action committee that supports only pro-abortion women, did very poorly. Despite spending a great deal of money, EMILY'S List lost 16 of its top 21 races.

Maine was the site of the only closely contested House race between a pro-life Democrat and pro-abortion Republican. Pro-life Democrat Mike Michaud defeated pro-abortion Republican Kevin Raye. Congressman-elect Michaud will be joined by fellow newly elected pro-life Democrats Tim Ryan (Ohio) and Lincoln Davis (Tennessee.).

NARAL and EMILY's List together raised at least eight million dollars for this election cycle. Even though pro-life forces are vastly outspent by our pro-abortion opponents, this election was another tremendous grassroots victory for our pro-life volunteers, who worked tirelessly to elect candidates who will help in our efforts to protect unborn children.

NEW PRO-LIFE MEMBERS

108TH Congress (2003-2004)

HOUSE

ALABAMA

CD 1 Jo Bonner (R)

CD 3 Mike Rogers (R)

ARIZONA

CD 1 Rick Renzi (R)

CD 2 Trent Franks (R)

CALIFORNIA

CD 21 Devin Nunes (R)

COLORADO

CD 4 Marilyn Musgrave (R)

CD 7 Bob Beauprez* (R)

FLORIDA

CD 13 Katherine Harris (R)

CD 24 Tom Feeney (R)

CD 25 Mario Diaz-Balart (R)

GEORGIA

CD 11 Phil Gingrey (R)

CD 12 Max Burns (R)

INDIANA

CD 2 Chris Chocola (R)

IOWA

CD 5 Steve King (R)

MAINE

CD 2 Mike Michaud (D)

MICHIGAN

CD 10 Candice Miller (R)

CD 11 Thad McCotter (R)

MINNESOTA

CD 2 John Kline (R)

NEVADA

CD 3 Jon Porter (R)

NEW JERSEY

CD 5 Scott Garrett (R)

NEW MEXICO

CD 2 Steve Pearce (R)

OHIO

CD 3 Mike Turner (R)

CD 17 Tim Ryan (D)

OKLAHOMA

CD 4 Tom Cole (R)

PENNSYLVANIA

CD 6 Jim Gerlach (R)

CD 18 Tim Murphy (R)

SOUTH CAROLINA

CD 3 Gresham Barrett (R)

SOUTH DAKOTA

CD AL Bill Janklow (R)

TENNESSEE

CD 4 Lincoln Davis (D)

CD 7 Marsha Blackburn (R)

TEXAS

CD 5 Jeb Hensarling (R)

CD 26 Michael Burgess (R)

CD 31 John Carter (R)

UTAH

CD 1 Rob Bishop (R)

* Pending final count.