Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was the overwhelming choice of pro-life advocates during March for Life weekend, as anti-abortion activists celebrated the first march after the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
According to The Washington Times on Sunday, the Republican governor captured a clear majority of the activists in a straw poll during the National Pro-Life Summit, a daylong training event for pro-life activists that’s held the day after the march in Washington.
DeSantis received 53.7% of the attendees’ vote, far outpacing former President Donald Trump, who can rightfully claim credit for getting Roe overturned by appointing three pro-life justices to the Supreme Court during his time in office.
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Sunday marked 50 years since the court’s original decision that stripped the states of control over abortion policy. The conservative majority overturned Roe in June by a 6-3 margin.
As the Times reported, Trump got just 19.2% of the vote. Former Vice President Mike Pence finished third with 7.8%.
No other potential candidate received more than 2% of the straw-poll vote, the Times noted. More than 2,000 pro-life advocates attended the summit.
Students for Life Action President Kristan Hawkins noted that pro-life voters, especially younger ones, recognize which politicians did not hedge on abortion during the 2022 elections.
She noted that staunch pro-life advocates like DeSantis, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, and North Carolina Sen. Ted Budd won easily while others faded.
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Despite appointing those justices to the majority, Trump lost ground with pro-life advocates when he blamed the abortion issue for the Republicans underperforming in the November elections. South Carolina GOP Rep. Nancy Mace also criticized the party for the focus on abortion.
Yet, Hawkins noted to the Times, “Expectations are high that candidates will compete to show their commitment to protecting life in law and in service.”
“Pro-life voters are looking for a passionate defense of mother and child and a commitment to act. A throwaway line in a speech will not cut it with the Pro-Life Generation.”
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