Abortion once again becomes focal point of Democratic races

Democratic control of Virginia’s House and Senate are seen as crucial to the advancement of a Constitutional amendment that would protect abortion rights. Though Virginia has the most relaxed abortion laws in the entire South, Democrats want to go further.

The Democrats would be in a position to advance the proposed amendment, as they hold a majority in both the Senate and House.

In the last statewide General Assembly election, many Republicans supported Gov. Glenn Youngkin‘s proposal to limit most abortions beyond 15 weeks. Democrats campaigned to preserve the state’s current abortion laws with the long-term aim of enshrining abortion protections into the state Constitution.

Virginia law allows abortions for any reason up to the end of the second trimester (roughly 26 weeks). Abortions are allowed in the third trimester only with three doctors’ approval. The proposed constitutional amendment will ease this requirement by allowing one doctor to approve a third trimester abortion when it is necessary to protect a pregnant woman’s mental or physical health or if a fetus has been deemed unviable.

Del. Kannan Srinivasan (D-Loudoun) secured the Democratic nomination for his successor in the Virginia Senate. J.J. Singh, a first-time candidate.

Residents of the 26th House District have until Jan. 7 to vote for Republican Ram Venkatachalam or Singh. In Senate District 32, voters will choose between Srinivasan or Republican Tumay Harding.

Ram Venkatachalam and Tumay Harding do not support abortion. Harding states she believes that life “begins at conception.” She also stresses the need to support expecting mothers and “reduce” abortions.