Springing into the Primary Season.

When my children were little, we always looked for "signs of spring." Spring has certainly sprung! In addition to the birds, the flowers and the cherry blossoms, primary elections and filing deadlines have arrived.

As they unfold, we begin to see a snapshot of what the November elections will bring.

On March 7, a critical Democratic primary election took place in Texas' 28th Congressional District between incumbent pro-life Congressman Henry Cuellar and former pro-abortion Congressman Ciro Rodriguez. In 2004, Mr. Cuellar narrowly defeated then Congressman Rodriguez by the slimmest of margins58 votes.

The 2006 rematch was expected to be a nailbiter. Fortunately, it was not as dramatic. With the support of National Right to Life PAC Congressman Cuellar won with 53% of the vote to Ciro Rodriguez's 41%. Rodriguez received tremendous support from pro-abortion organizations such as Moveon.org.

Based on the March 21 Illinois primary elections, we will have several pro-life v. pro-abortion races in the November general election. In the Sixth Congressional District, pro-life candidate Peter Roskam (R) will face pro-abortion candidate Tammy Duckworth (D). This is the district from which pro-life champion Congressman Henry Hyde will retire after serving 32 years in Congress.

In Illinois' Eighth Congressional District, pro-life candidate David McSweeney (R) will face pro-abortion Rep. Melissa Bean (D) who has been endorsed by Emily's List. Emily's List only supports pro-abortion Democrat candidates who allow no limitations on abortion.

Fortunately, as we go into this election season, a Zogby poll conducted from March 10-14, 2006, revealed that most of the respondents took pro-life positions on questions asked on the abortion issue. The poll included over 30,000 respondents from 48 states.