The November 4, 2003 Virginia General Assembly elections resulted in a gain of one pro-life vote in the Virginia Senate and possibly a loss of two pro-life votes in the House of Delegates where there remains a strong pro-life majority.

88% of the General Assembly candidates endorsed by the VSHL Political Action Committee were elected. “We’re pleased that our endorsed candidates did so well in the 2003 elections,” said VSHL PAC Chairman Cathy Driscoll. “Pro-life victories at the polls on election day result in pro-life victories like the Partial Birth Infanticide Law and the Parental Consent Law in the legislature.” (For endorsements, see the Lifesaver, October 2003)

In the Senate, the PAC endorsed 16 candidates. 13 won. Three others were pro-life candidates who challenged entrenched pro-abortion incumbents in the 17th, 32nd and 36th districts. One notable pro-life victory was in the 34th Senatorial district in Fairfax where pro-life Delegate Jeannemarie Devolites won the seat previously occupied by retiring pro-abortion Senator Leslie Byrne.

In the House of Delegates, the PAC endorsed 32 candidates with 29 winners. Pro-life Republican Delegate Tom Bolvin in the 43rd district in Alexandria was unfortunately defeated by a challenger, and pro-life former Delegate Jack Rust failed to regain his old 37th district seat from Democratic Del. Chap Peterson, who has a mixed voting record on life issues. [Note that three endorsements were added after the last Lifesaver went to press: Del. Ben Cline (R) in the 24th district, Del. Glenn Weatherholtz (R) in the 26th district, and Del. G. Glenn Oder (R) in the 94th district.]

Published in VSHL Lifesaver, January 2004