In a May letter mailed to “fellow Virginians” active in the Republican Party, Katherine Waddell of Richmond announced the formation of a state chapter of the Republican Pro-Choice Coalition which she chairs. In the appeal for members, the letter warns that “Roe v. Wade hangs on a thread (5-4 Supreme Court).”

As the Virginia chapter of the national Republican Pro-Choice Coalition, the group’s mission is to promote the abortion position in the Party, impact state and federal legislation, influence Republican Party platforms, and help elect pro-abortion Republicans through the group’s political action committee.

Included on the board of directors is former delegate Panny Rhodes of Richmond who strongly backed one of the abortion group’s advisory committee members to fill her seat in the House of Delegates in the November 2001 election. Her pick, John Conrad, lost the election along with pro-abortion Democrat Ed Barber in a three-way race in House District 68 targeted by VSHL PAC. Brad Marrs, a solidly pro-life Republican won the election and now serves in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Other advisors to the new organization include Del. James Dillard of Fairfax and former Governor and Mrs. Linwood Holton.

Published in VSHL Lifesaver, June 2002