In two areas of Virginia, voters will be electing representatives to the Virginia General Assembly.

Pro-Life Republican Delegate Jay O’Brien of Clifton has been endorsed by the VSHL PAC in his race for the 39th District Virginia Senate seat left vacant by the August retirement of the most senior member of the Virginia Senate, Sen. Madison Marye. As a result of the redistricting after the last census, this district was moved to the Northern Virginia area from its previous location southwest of Roanoke. Virginia law requires that the special election to fill the remainder of the term be held using the new district boundaries. He is opposed by Democrat Rosemary Lynch of Alexandria.

The resignation of Delegate Vance Wilkins left a vacancy in the House of Delegates. Pro-Life Republican Ben Cline of Lexington has been endorsed by the VSHL PAC in seeking to fill the 24th District Virginia House seat. Mr. Cline is a former aide to 6th District Congressman Bob Goodlatte. Opposing him is Mimi Elrod, also of Lexington, a member of the staff of Washington & Lee University. This district includes Rockbridge County, Lexington, Buena Vista, and parts of Amherst and Augusta Counties.

Of the four candidates running in these two special elections, only Jay O’Brien has a voting record from his service as a Delegate (see article).

“It’s crucial for Virginia pro-lifers to go to the polls and bring their families and friends to vote on Tuesday November 5,” VSHL PAC Chairman Cathy Driscoll told the Lifesaver. She continued, “Restoration of legal protection for the life of the unborn child in America lies in the hands of pro-life voters.”

Published in VSHL Lifesaver, October, 2002