The National Right to Life political action committee, which supports candidates who oppose abortion rights, has endorsed two Republicans running in competitive June 3 Congressional primaries.

In California’s solidly Republican 52nd district, the group is backing Marine Reservist Duncan D. Hunter, who is running for the seat being vacated by his father, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R). Hunter’s main competition in the four-way primary is wealthy businessman and San Diego County Board of Education President Bob Watkins.

In the New Mexico Republican Senate primary, National Right to Life’s PAC is backing Rep. Steve Pearce, who is running against Rep. Heather Wilson for the GOP nomination. Both Republicans are considered underdogs against the presumed Democratic Senate nominee, Rep. Tom Udall. Sen. Pete Domenici (R) is retiring.

Environmental Groups Bless 3 Senate Hopefuls

A coalition of environmental groups has called out the Senate races in New Mexico, Colorado and New Hampshire as their prime targets for 2008.

The League of Conservative Voters, the Sierra Club, Clean Water Action, Environment America and Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund announced their support for Democratic Senate candidates Rep. Mark Udall (Colo.), Rep. Tom Udall (N.M.) and Jeanne Shaheen, the former governor of New Hampshire, in their respective Senate contests. Tom Udall and Mark Udall are both running in open-seat races, while Shaheen is challenging Sen. John Sununu (R-N.H.).

“Passing vital global warming legislation will require a 60 vote pro-environment majority in the Senate,” LCV President Gene Karpinski said. “And so we have dedicated ourselves to electing new environmental champions in three key states.”

As part of their support, the groups said they plan to “invest a significant amount of money” into these Senate races, including statewide polling and research, targeted voter contact and paid media, including television and radio.

— David M. Drucker and Shira Toeplitz