While we may still be facing uncertain election results, Students for Life and Students for Life Action will continue to fight for women and their preborn children. Fortunately, what is certain is that we’ll have pro-life women in the U.S. House of Representatives as our allies! While the amount of pick-up seats from pro-life candidates continues to be determined, it is clear that the amount of pro-life women doubled, to include at least fourteen women. This is in addition to the eleven pro-life women incumbents who won re-election.
Such a pro-life gain includes at least seven flips from Democratic to Republican races; six being pro-choice to pro-life flips. This significant pro-life victory cannot be underscored. The U.S. House of Representatives currently has a pro-choice majority, and may continue to have one for the incoming Congress, though it will be significantly less. Plans are already in play to repeal the Hyde Amendment, which Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi supports doing.
The Hyde Amendment is a budget rider which prohibits federal taxpayer dollars from funding most abortions. It is supported not only by pro-life Americans who do not want their hard-earned dollars from going towards such a reprehensible practice, but pro-choice Americans. This is even acknowledged by Slate, which warned Democrats from adopting the stance they have. If the American people are clear, and even a notoriously pro-choice outlet such as Slate can admit as much, why can’t the Democratic Party? That they haven’t could have very well determined these and future losses.
Repealing Hyde means Medicaid will pay for elective abortions throughout all nine months of pregnancy. In June 2019, while still running in the primary, Joe Biden renounced his support for the Hyde Amendment. Vice-Presidential nominee Kamala Harris is even more opposed to Hyde, and sponsored legislation in the US. Senate which would repeal the Hyde Amendment.
Thus, such a victory is so crucial because of what extremism we’re up against. In addition to what it says about the balance of power on the abortion issue, it also contradicts the narrative that Democrats in 2020 would add to their majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Winning candidates include:
- Maria Salazar in Florida’s 27th District, who defeated pro-choice Democratic incumbent Donna Shalala, 51.3% to 48.6%.
- Yvette Herrell in New Mexico’s 2nd district, who defeated pro-choice Democratic incumbent Xochitl Torres Small, 53.9% to 46.1% percent. Small had defeated Herrell in 2018, 50.9% to 49.1%.
- Michelle Fischbach in Minnesota’s 7th district, who defeated pro-life Democratic incumbent Collin Peterson, 53.5% to 40.1%.
- Nancy Mace in South Carolina’s 1st district, who defeated pro-choice Democratic incumbent Joe Cunningham 50.7% to 49.3%.
- Stephanie Bice in Oklahoma’s 5th district, who defeated pro-choice Democratic incumbent Kendra Horn 52.1% to 47.9%.
- Ashley Hinson in Iowa’s 1st district, who defeated pro-choice Democratic incumbent Abby Finkenauer 51.3% to 48.7%.
- Nicole Malliotakis in New York’s, who with 85% reported, is ahead of pro-choice Democratic incumbent Max Rose 57.9% to 42.1%
- Lauren Boebert in Colorado’s 3rd district, who defeated pro-choice Democratic candidate Diane Mitsch Bush, 51.3% to 45.4%.
- Lisa McClain in Michigan’s 10th district, who defeated pro-choice Democratic candidate Kimberly Bizon, 66.3% to 33.7%.
- Kat Cammack in Florida’s 3rd district, who defeated pro-choice Democratic candidate Adam Christensen, 57.2% to 42.8%.
- Diana Harshbarger in Tennessee’s 1st district, who defeated pro-choice Democratic candidate Blair Walsingham, 74.8% to 22.4%.
- Mary Miller in Illinois’ 15th district, who defeated pro-choice Democratic candidate Erika Weaver, 71.4% to 28.6%.
- Marjorie Taylor Greene in Georgia’s 14th district, who defeated pro-choice Democratic candidate Kevin Van Ausdal, 74.7% to 25.2%.
- Victoria Spartz in Indiana’s 5th district, who defeated pro-choice Democratic candidate Christina Hale, 51.1% to 44.8%.
Other pro-life women candidates in still being watched races include:
- Claudia Tenney who in New York’s 22nd district, with 80% reporting, is leading pro-choice Democratic incumbent Rep. Anthony Brindisi, 54.5% to 43.4%.
- Beth Van Duyne, who in Texas’ 24th district, with 94% reporting, is leading pro-choice Democratic candidate Candace Valenzuela, 48.8% to 47.5%.
- Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who in Iowa’s 2nd district, with 89% reporting, is up 196,773 votes to pro-choice Democratic candidate’s Rita Hart’s 196,487 votes.
- Young Kim, who in California’s 39th district, with 88% reporting, is leading pro-choice Democratic incumbent Gil Cisneros, 50.3% to 49.7%.
- Michelle Steel, who in California’s 48th district, with 94% reporting, is leading pro-choice Democratic incumbent Harley Rouda, 50.4% to 49.6%.
If anything, perhaps such wins can finally let the electorate, and the Democratic Party, know that pro-life women are not mythical creatures, and do in fact speak for the majority.
