NARAL Pro-Choice America Reports Pro-Choice Gains in Congress

Washington, DC – NARAL Pro-Choice America, the political arm of the pro-choice movement, reported pro-choice gains in Congress with victories in every region of the country, including Arizona, Iowa, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania.

"Americans reaffirmed their commitment to the values of freedom, privacy, and personal responsibility yesterday, and that means we have more pro-choice members of Congress," said Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. "Voters in every corner of the country made it clear that they are tired of divisive attacks on a woman's right to choose and don't want politicians interfering in our personal, private decision making."

With some races still too close to call, NARAL Pro-Choice America projected a gain of at least 20 pro-choice members in the House and key wins in the Senate. Pro-choice victories from around the country include:

• Rep. Sherrod Brown (Ohio) and Claire McCaskill (Missouri) defeated anti-choice incumbent senators.
• In Pennsylvania's 7th District, retired Admiral Joe Sestak defeated 10-term anti-choice incumbent Curt Weldon.
• In Iowa's 1st District, Bruce Braley won an open seat being vacated by eight-term anti-choice Rep. Jim Nussle, who lost a gubernatorial race to pro-choice Chet Culver.
• In Arizona's 5th District, Harry Mitchell defeated anti-choice incumbent J.D. Hayworth, who first won election to Congress in 1994.

In addition to the pro-choice victories in congressional races, NARAL Pro-Choice America also cited wins on state ballot initiatives. In South Dakota, voters decisively repealed a draconian abortion ban. In California and Oregon, voters defeated anti-choice measures that would have endangered young women.

NARAL Pro-Choice America, the nation's largest non-partisan pro-choice political organization, capitalized on the public's call for change with a comprehensive $2.5 million political program, which included independent expenditures in congressional races, direct contributions to candidates, and contributions to the efforts to defeat anti-choice ballot measures. The organization's one-million-strong network of member activists built on these financial investments by phone banking and going door-to-door on behalf of pro-choice candidates across the country.

Contact:
Ted Miller, 202.973.3032