The statewide pro-life group in West Virginia says that each of the Republican candidates for governor is pro-life as is Democratic primary election candidate Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin. The candidates are competing in party primary elections on May 14.
On the GOP side, West Virginians for Life says “the Republican frontrunners are all pro-life, therefore the WVL PAC did not endorse in the Special Republican Primary for Governor.”
According to the first independent poll conducted in the West Virginia gubernatorial race, released Tuesday by Public Policy Polling, former Secretary of State Betty Ireland has about a 2-1 lead over her Republican opponents. Ireland has 31 percent support over businessman Bill Maloney’s 17 percent, according to the poll with State Sen. Clark Barnes and State Del. Mitch Carmichael at 8 percent, Putnam County Prosecutor Mark Sorsaia at 4 percent, former State Del. Larry Faircloth and professor Ralph William Clark at 2 percent, and former Westover mayor Cliff Ellis at 1 percent.
On the Democratic side, the West Virginians for Life Political Action Committee announced today its endorsement of Governor Tomblin.
Tomblin has compiled a pro-life record which encompasses voting for passage of these successful bills: the Women’s Right to Know Law, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act and an Ultrasound Option Requirement, and Partial-Birth Abortion Ban, the pro-life organization informed LifeNews. He has also voted to secure Parental Notice and in 2005 sponsored a Respect Life Day resolution.
“Based on this demonstration of his pro-life commitment,” West Virginians for Life Communications Director Mary Anne Buchanan said, “West Virginians for Life is confident that Governor Earl Ray Tomblin will protect unborn babies and their mothers by signing pro-life legislation.”
Tomblin responded by saying, “I believe in the sanctity of life and I am proud to have received the support of the West Virginians for Life. I admire the work they do to protect our state’s unborn children, and I will continue to do my part as governor of West Virginia.”
Meanwhile, WVL PAC opposes the election of Natalie Tennant for governor in the Democratic primary. She is endorsed by the pro-abortion group EMILY’s List, a political action committee that supports Democrat women who support abortion on demand, partial-birth abortion and tax funding of abortion.
The PPP poll found Tomblin leads with 32 percent, State Treasurer John Perdue has 17 percent, Tennant has 16 percent, and State House Speaker Rick Thompson has 15 percent. State Sen. Jeff Kessler has the support of five percent while activist Arne Moltis has just one percent of the support of Democratic voters.
