FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 8, 2011
Contact: Ciara Matthews, (202) 223-8073
Pro-Life Majority Now Controls Virginia State Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund tonight congratulates newly-elected Virginia state Senator Bryce Reeves (VA-17) for his defeat over current state Senator Edd Houck.
“Bryce Reeves’ win tonight is a tremendous victory for the pro-life movement and for the people of Virginia,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the SBA List. “Senator Houck has stood in opposition to countless pro-life legislation, preventing much of it from even reaching the floor for debate. With the election of Mr. Reeves, we expect that common sense pro-life legislation will now be able to move through the Senate and signed into law.”
The Susan B. Anthony List spent $25,000 in radio, print and mail campaigns to help ensure the defeat of Edd Houck whose position as chairman of the powerful Education and Health Committee allowed him to prevent pro-life legislation from reaching the Senate floor making him, what SBA List calls, “a consistent ally to the pro-abortion movement.”
In addition to Reeves, incumbent Jill Vogel (VA-27) – also, an SBA List-endorsed candidate – won her election bid. Tonight’s election also netted Republicans the wins necessary to claim a majority in the Virginia state Senate, something Dannenfelser says will prove a necessary first step in defunding Planned Parenthood in Virginia.
“All around the country, states have taken up the effort of defunding Planned Parenthood,” explained Dannenfelser. “With the Virginia state Senate in the hands of a pro-life majority, that effort can begin in this critical swing-state.”
Dannenfelser also recognized Caren Merrick and Patricia Phillips, state Senate candidate in districts 31 and 33, respectively, for their hard fought campaigns against incumbent pro-abortion Democrats.
“These women have taken the first steps in the courageous fight of giving voice to the unborn and we look forward to future and continued involvement.”
The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of more than 330,000 Americans dedicated to mobilizing, advancing, and representing pro-life women in politics. Its connected Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process.
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