West Virginia Elects Pro-Lifer Jeff Kessler to Lead Senate

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Nov 17, 2011   |   5:21PM   |   Charleston, WV

The West Virginia state legislature has chosen a pro-life advocate to lead the state Senate as West Virginians for Life continues working with lawmakers to pass measures designed to protect unborn children.

The West Virginia Senate held the election for the permanent position of Senate President on Monday. Senator Jeff Kessler (D-Marshall County), who had served as Interim President, won the election 28 to 5 over Senate Minority Leader Mike Hall (R-Putnam County).

In the caucus of the Senate Democrats, Kessler won 17 to 11 over Senator Brooks McCabe (D-Kanawha).  West Virginians for Life opposed the election of pro-abortion Senator McCabe to the position of Senate President.

“If Senator McCabe had won, it would have been impossible to move our pro-life legislative agenda through the WV Senate,” said Wanda Franz, WVFL President.  “His election would have stopped pro-life legislation from passing for years to come.”

Senator Kessler’s election was seen as a win for pro-life legislative efforts, because Senator Kessler has been the lead sponsor for all of the pro-life legislation that has passed the Senate in the last decade.

Senator Kessler filled the seat vacated by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin upon his election as Governor of the state of West Virginia.  During Governor Tomblin’s service as Senate President, many important pro-life bills were passed, including the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, Women’s Right to Know Act, and the Ultrasound Option Bill.

The Past President of WVFL, Karen Cross said:  “We congratulate both of these pro-life public servants for their work to support life-saving pro-life legislation in West Virginia.”