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RICHMOND, VA, November 10, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Tuesday’s election in Virginia resulted in two pro-abortion senators losing their seats to pro-life candidates, giving pro-lifers control of the state Senate as well a majority in the House of Delegates.

Pro-abortion Democratic State Senator Edd Houck, Chair of the Senate Health and Education Committee, lost by 86 votes to his pro-life Republican challenger, Bryce Reeves.

In addition to Reeves, incumbent Jill Vogel (VA-27), a Susan B. Anthony List-endorsed candidate, won her election bid, while Republican Bill Stanley defeated pro-abortion Democrat Roscoe Reynolds.

“Bryce Reeves’ win … is a tremendous victory for the pro-life movement and for the people of Virginia,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List. She pointed out that Houck was “a consistent ally to the pro-abortion movement,” using his position to prevent pro-life legislation from reaching the Senate floor.

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“Senator Houck has stood in opposition to countless pro-life legislation, preventing much of it from even reaching the floor for debate. With the election of Mr. Reeves, we expect that common sense pro-life legislation will now be able to move through the Senate and signed into law,” Dannenfelser said in a press release.

The Susan B. Anthony List spent $25,000 in radio, print and mail campaigns to help ensure the defeat of Edd Houck, which, together with the other pro-life victories, Dannenfelser said will prove a necessary first step in defunding Planned Parenthood in Virginia.

“All around the country, states have taken up the effort of defunding Planned Parenthood,” explained Dannenfelser. “With the Virginia state Senate in the hands of a pro-life majority, that effort can begin in this critical swing-state.”

Karen Cross, National Right to Life Political Director, commented that the off-year elections in Virginia “proved to be very beneficial for the babies.”

“Pro-lifers already controlled the governor’s office (Bob McDonnell) and the House of Delegates. Tuesday’s election in Virginia replaced two pro-abortion state Senators with two pro-life state Senators, giving pro-lifers control of the state Senate as well,” Cross said.

The Virginia Society for Human Life (VSHL) also played a decisive role in the election of pro-life candidates, with 11 VSHL-endorsed candidates for the Virginia Senate being elected.

“This election proves that the pro-life increment is decisive in close races,” said Holly Smith, Virginia Society for Human Life PAC chairman.

In the House of Delegates twelve new pro-life members were elected. Fifty-seven pro-life incumbents held on to their seats to bring the total number of the pro-life majority to sixty-nine.

“The will of the people of Virginia has spoken and it is clearly pro-life,” said Olivia Gans, VSHL President.

“The victories in this election will allow us to work toward the passage of truly protective legislation, like the Pain Capable Protection Act, and we look forward to working with all the members of the General Assembly in 2012 in order to pass truly protective legislation for the unborn and their mothers, those with disabilities, and the elderly.”