2012 election results offer hope for pro-life efforts in Minnesota

Pro-life citizens in Minnesota have reason to be encouraged following the 2012 election

The American people remain pro-life

The highly-respected Gallup organization has polled Americans on their views of life issues for many years. Its 2012 poll revealed that 50 percent of Americans self-identify as pro-life. The same poll found that a record-low 41 percent now identify themselves as “pro-choice.”

Vote reflects pro-life majority

Why didn’t the election outcome reflect this? Well, in Minnesota, it largely did. Voters elected four pro-life members of Congress, a pro-life majority to the Minnesota House and a Senate nearly equally split on life issues.

However, other factors strongly influenced voters in this election cycle

Deep concerns over the economy, unemployment, the national debt, the war in Afghanistan, ballot amendments and other issues eclipsed the primacy of human life in the decisions of many pro-life citizens. In other words, many pro-lifers did not vote for pro-life candidates. More voter education must be done here.

Most of the pro-life candidates won

MCCL works mainly at the state level to protect human life. And we are pleased with the outcome of the election. Most of the candidates supported by the MCCL State PAC won their races, which means we have a lot of lawmakers with whom we can work to pass meaningful pro-life legislation. And because both legislative chambers are controlled by the Democratic Party, any legislation they pass is likely to be signed into law by Gov. Mark Dayton.

Pro-lifers in both parties must work together

MCCL has always worked with pro-life officials in both major parties in order to craft and pass legislation that will protect unborn children, their mothers and other vulnerable lives. Our parental notification law, Woman’s Right to Know and Positive Alternatives, for example, all enjoyed strong support from legislators on both sides of the aisle. All became law when control of the House, Senate and governor’s office were divided between the two parties.

We are hopeful that while the Democrats are in control (for at least two years), pro-life lawmakers of both parties will work together with their pro-life constituents and MCCL to establish greater protections for human life in Minnesota.