*Due to mail-in voting, it is possible some of the results listed below have changed since it was written shortly after the election. Stay up to date on the most current pro-life news by joining our email list.*
Note 12-5-24: Following the writing of this article, additional ballots were received and counted and Tracy Cramer lost her re-election bid in Marion County.
In a historic comeback, Donald Trump became president-elect of the United States for the second time, shutting down the radically pro-abortion Harris-Walz ticket and winning both the Electoral College and the popular vote.
Republicans also regained control of the U.S. Senate and kept the U.S. House of Representatives, putting Republicans at the helm of all three federal branches of government with a clear mandate for change.
In precedent-setting victories for the pro-life movement, voters in Florida, Nebraska and South Dakota rejected pro-abortion ballot initiatives that would have enshrined a “right” to abortion into their states’ constitutions. In Nebraska, voters even approved a competing ballot initiative that will prohibit gruesome third-trimester abortions. Meanwhile, in a first-of-its-kind pro-life win, West Virginians approved a ballot initiative to ban physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia.
It wasn’t all good news for the pro-life side, however. Unfortunately, pro-abortion ballot initiatives were passed in seven other states (five of which already had extreme pro-abortion laws), underscoring the fact that pro-life advocates still have work to do at the state level.
Pro-life candidates in Oregon won in dozens of districts statewide. Overall, more than 60% of the candidates supported by Oregon Right to Life PAC (political action committee) were victorious. Most importantly, pro-life Oregonians narrowly yet successfully blocked a pro-abortion supermajority in the legislature.
Pro-Life Candidate Spotlight:
- Representative Kevin Mannix and Representative Tracy Cramer, two pro-life incumbents in Marion County who sit in Democrat leaning districts and were targeted for defeat by pro-abortion opponents, secured re-election to continue representing pro-life values in the Oregon House of Representatives.
- In rural Lane County, pro-life candidate Darin Harbick won his race after a historic Primary victory against pro-abortion Republican incumbent Charlie Conrad.
But Oregonian pro-lifers did witness some setbacks. In Central Oregon, pro-life candidates for the Oregon State House and Senate, Keri Lopez (HD 53) and Michael Summers (SD 27), were unfortunately defeated by their pro-abortion opponents. These tight races were set in competitive districts, and there simply was not enough funding to tip the scales for Oregon Right to Life PAC backed, pro-life candidates.
While it was disappointing to see Lopez and Summers lose their races, pro-life Oregonians can celebrate some crucial victories:
- A pro-abortion supermajority was blocked
- 100% of Oregon’s Republican caucus is now pro-life
- ORTL PAC’s ground game – grassroots advocacy focused on one-on-one voter outreach – is tried, tested and effective in turning out the vote for pro-life candidates
With the 2024 election now behind us, Oregon Right to Life is so grateful for the commitment of our donors, grassroots volunteers and supporters willing to work hard and never give up on a pro-life vision for our state.
