NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia Will Not Endorse Gubernatorial Candidates Because of Their Opposition to Abortion Rights

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 19 Aug 2005 - 0:00 PDT

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NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia on Tuesday announced it will not endorse a candidate in the state's gubernatorial race this fall, noting a lack of support for abortion rights among the two leading candidates, the Washington Post reports. The group said it did not endorse Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine (D) because he supports some restrictions on abortion, such as parental consent and notification laws for minors seeking abortion and a ban on so-called "partial-birth" abortion. The group also called Republican gubernatorial candidate Jerry Kilgore, who has said he opposes abortion except in cases of rape or incest or when necessary to protect a pregnant woman's life, an "extremely anti-choice" candidate (Shear, Washington Post, 8/17). However, the group said, "Between these two men, we see more hope for the women of Virginia in Kaine's candidacy, and we are eager and willing to work with him on these important issues should he be elected" (O'Dell, AP/Hampton Roads Daily Press, 8/16). NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia Executive Director Ann O'Hanlon said the group did not endorse state Sen. Russell Potts (R), who is running for governor as an independent, despite his recent support for abortion rights. O'Hanlon said Potts' views and vote are more important in his current position as chair of the state Senate Education and Health Committee (Washington Post, 8/17).

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