The abortion-rights group NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri has announced today its list of endorsed candidates for the Missouri Legislature, a sign that campaigns are gearing up for the Aug. 3 primary.

And in Missouri, groups on both sides of the never-ending debate over abortion are usually among the most visible.

NARAL (formerly known as the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League) is getting involved in a number of local contests, says state executive director Pamela Sumners.

The group also claims to make a difference. In 2008, NARAL Pro-Choice Missour's political action committee spent more money than any other reproductive-rights group, Sumner said. Endorsed candidates won 80 percent of their 2008 primaries, and those who received direct donations won two-thirds of the time.

The supported candidates include:

-- Area House incumbents James Morris, D-St. Louis; Steve Webb, D-Florissant; Jeanne Kirkton, D-Webster Groves; Stacey Newman, D-Richmond Heights; Hope Whitehead, D-St. Louis; Jeanette Mott Oxford, D-St. Louis; Chris Carter, D-St. Louis; Tishaura Jones, D-St. Louis; Mike Colona, D-St. Louis; Sharon Pace, D-Northwoods; Bert Atkins, D-Florissant; Margo McNeil, D-Florissant; Rochelle Gray, D-north St. Louis County; Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur; Jake Zimmerman, D-Olivette; Vicki Englund, D-St. Louis.

-- House candidates Susan Carlson, D-St. Louis; Doug Clemens, D- north St. Louis County; Genise Montecillo, D-south St. Louis County; Deb Lavender, D-Kirkwood; Scott Sifton, D-Shrewsbury.

In some cases -- such as that of Englund -- NARAL director Sumners said the candidates had less-than-perfect records on reproductive rights, but they were deemed better than the opposition.