Amendment 1 historically passed statewide with 5,878 voters making the difference. Legislative Coordinator for the WV Alliance for Ethical Health Care, Mary H. Tillman, JD, said, “The WV Alliance for Ethical Health Care, West Virginians for Life, and organizations that advocate for the rights of persons living with disabilities celebrate the successful passage of Amendment 1. Following the strong example of our legislators who voted by overwhelming majorities, the voters of WV have now also shown their belief that all lives in our beautiful state, regardless of age or ability, will be respected and protected from the dangers of medically-assisted suicide. West Virginia becomes the first state in the United States of America to proactively protect all its citizens and health care institutions from the dangerous trend of assisted suicide by a state constitutional amendment.”
Of the 113 races in which the West Virginians for Life PAC (WVL-PAC) endorsed candidates, a 95% success rate has been realized. West Virginia, not surprisingly, gave all four of its electoral votes to Donald Trump on November 5. WVFL President Wanda Franz, Ph.D., said, “West Virginia is a national leader in its support for the conservative pro-life values of former President Donald J. Trump, who represents the values of WV families.”
With 69% of the vote, Jim Justice won the US Senate seat left open by Joe Manchin’s departure. First District Congressional incumbent Carol Miller retained her seat for a third term. In the Second Congressional District, Riley Moore defeated his opponent by a margin of 71%-29%. This completed a pro-life sweep of the entire slate of federal candidates.
The WVL-PAC enjoyed wins in all six statewide races. Patrick Morrisey won the governorship with 69% of the vote. JB McCuskey will be the new Attorney General ensuring that pro-life legislation will be defended if challenged. Kris Warner easily won the Secretary of State seat. Mark Hunt will be the State Auditor. Kent Leonhardt will remain Agriculture Commissioner.
Of the 16 Senate races in which endorsements were made, 15 were winners. Thirty-three of 34 senators will be supporting pro-life policies.
WVL-PAC can report only five losses in the endorsed State House races. With a net gain of +6 pro-life seats, 87 of the 100 members of the State House will be pro-life as the next legislative session begins in February 2025.
In conclusion, Wanda Franz, Ph.D., WVL-PAC president, said: “West Virginians for Life is proud of its overwhelming success in supporting pro-life legislators and we look forward to working with them in the upcoming session.”
West Virginians for Life, the state affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee, is the state’s largest pro-life group with more than 30 local pro-life chapters. West Virginians for Life works through education, legislation, and political action to protect those threatened by abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, and assisted suicide.