Governor Joe Manchin will not inject abortion into a special legislative session, declining a challenge from a Republican rival.

The challenge came Friday from Russ Weeks, who proposed Manchin include a proposal to limit the use of state dollars for abortions in certain situations.

Manchins spokeswoman, Lara Ramsburg, said special sessions are intended to deal with emergency funding issues -- not a policy matter that properly should be discussed in a regular legislative session.

Weeks won a Senate seat in 2002 primarily on his anti-abortion position.

Governor Joe Manchin will not inject abortion into a special legislative session, declining a challenge from a Republican rival.

The challenge came Friday from Russ Weeks, who proposed Manchin include a proposal to limit the use of state dollars for abortions in certain situations.

Manchins spokeswoman, Lara Ramsburg, said special sessions are intended to deal with emergency funding issues -- not a policy matter that properly should be discussed in a regular legislative session.

Weeks won a Senate seat in 2002 primarily on his anti-abortion position.