Nevada: Heller Becomes Senator, Berkley Gets Pro-Abortion OK

State   |   Andrew Bair   |   May 9, 2011   |   5:54PM   |   Washington, DC

Republican Dean Heller became the newest member of the United States Senate today after being appointed by Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval to finish out the term of Senator John Ensign, who stepped down last month.

Like Senator Ensign, Heller brings a pro-life voting record to the US Senate. Formerly a US Congressman from Nevada’s 2nd district, Heller voted pro-life on key initiatives like defunding Planned Parenthood, repealing Obamacare and in favor of the No Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Act.

Melissa Clement of Nevada Right to Life welcomes Heller’s appointment to the Senate, telling LifeNews:

“Nevada Right to Life enthusiastically supports the appointment of Congressman Dean Heller to the US Senate. Heller has been a consistent vote for life and we expect nothing less in the future. We look forward to working with him as he enters the Senate and warmly congratulate him on his well-earned promotion.”

While the pro-life movement has cause to celebrate Heller’s entry into the Senate, the special election to be held to fill his House seat remains a cause for concern. According to a decision by Nevada Secretary of State Ross Miller (D), all eligible candidates will have their names listed on the ballot and no primary will be held. This means multiple candidates of the same party could be on the ballot. Democrats have coalesced behind pro-abortion State Treasurer Kate Marshall. On the Republican side, numerous names are flying as potential candidates.

Pro-abortion forces would love nothing more than to flip this historically pro-life Republican seat. Marshall will benefit immensely if multiple candidates run on conservative platforms, thus dividing the Republican vote. The special election is slated to be September 13th.

Senator Heller (R) will face voters in 2012 in order to win a full six-year term in the US Senate. Heller’s former House colleague, pro-abortion Rep. Shelly Berkley (D-NV), has already announced she will challenge Heller in that election. On the same day that Heller took the oath of office, EMILY’s List, a political action committee focused on electing only the most extreme of pro-abortion candidates, announced its endorsement of Berkley for Senate.

The contrast between Senator Heller and Rep. Berkley on abortion could not be starker. Heller maintained a 100% rating in the 112th Congress while Berkely has yet to cast one pro-life vote.