The anti-abortion Kentucky Right to Life group issued its endorsements for the 2008 general election earlier this week, largely favoring Republicans and skipping over a Democrat it had previously backed in the 2nd Congressional District race.

The organization offers strict criteria for endorsing candidates, requiring that candidates support a "Human Life Amendment" to the United States Constitution. Such an amendment would overturn the Roe v. Wade decision. KRLA also does not endorse candidates who favor allowing abortions in the case of rape or incest or those who support "embryonic stem cell research" - though the group may offer "recommended" candidates in such situations.

Republicans were endorsed in five of the six U.S. House races in the state, with the exception being John Larson in the state's 6th District. Larson is said to have not responded to the KRLA's request to fill out a survey.

In the 2nd District, state Sen. Brett Guthrie (R-Bowling Green) was endorsed over state Sen. David Boswell (D-Owensboro), in spite of the organization's past support of Boswell and his assertion on the trail and in television advertisements that he is "pro-life."

The organization endorsed Boswell in past elections, and he was recognized with an award by the Owensboro branch of the group in 1998, according to a report in The Western Kentucky Catholic, but Guthrie was the one touting the endorsement today in a press release.

"In Congress, leadership matters.  One of the first votes the next congressman will cast is for House leadership.  I will cast a pro-life vote," Guthrie said in a statement.

Kentucky's U.S. Senate race did not see an endorsement, though KRLA noted U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell is its "highly recommended" candidate.

KRLA endorsed 11 Republican state Senate candidates and one Democrat, while "recommending" one other Republican.

Among state House candidates, Republicans received 34 endorsements and three recommendations while Democrats received 6 endorsements.

See the full list of endorsements here.

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