By Maria V. Gallagher, PAC Director, Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation
Pre-primary season is in full swing in Pennsylvania, where 203 seats in the state House of Representatives are up for grabs.
Retirements from the state legislature have been numerous—due, in part, to redistricting. That means there are many new names on the candidate roster, leading to a “get to know you” period for voters.
As our PAC has been researching candidates for the General Assembly, we have been struck by the heart-felt pro-life affirmations expressed by many candidates. These are individuals who are enthusiastic about the cause and the contribution they can make to safeguarding the lives of innocent preborn children and providing compassionate assistance to their mothers.
These are office-seekers who readily embrace the description “pro-life” and want to proclaim it from the hilltops. Some of that passion is born from personal experience—mothers who chose life despite the potential hardships…grandmothers who saw their premature grandchildren saved by the miracle of modern medical technology.
Consider this response from one female legislative candidate:
“Thank you for all you do to help protect the unborn and the frail elderly. My granddaughter was born at 26 weeks and 1 1/2 pounds. All I could think about when I first saw her was how many babies were killed at that same gestational age. My little (grandchild) is now 2 and is doing very well – you would never know she started out with such challenges.”
Much is at stake in the May 17th election, where the Republican and Democratic parties will choose their standard-bearers for the fall. It is critically important that Pennsylvanians get out the vote to ensure pro-life victories at the polls.
While abortion will not be on the ballot this year, it is in the minds of many voters. A group of abortion facilities have filed a lawsuit, now before the state Supreme Court, demanding taxpayer funding of abortion. Public opinion polls consistently show that the vast majority of Americans do not want their hard-earned tax dollars to pay for abortion. As a result, tax funding of abortion will definitely be a campaign issue.
Therefore, we offer a big salute to all of our pro-life candidates, who are rebuilding the culture of life, one election at a time!