Post submitted by Ianthe Metzger, Former Press Secretary, State & Local 

HRC announced its endorsement of Ann Kirkpatrick to represent the people of Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District.

“Ann Kirkpatrick is a proven leader who will fight for equality, fairness and Arizona families,” said HRC Arizona State Director Justin Unga. “Throughout her time in public service, she has consistently worked to move equality forward, fighting for every person’s right to work and live free from harassment and discrimination. HRC is proud to endorse her candidacy and will continue mobilizing its tens of thousands of supporters in Arizona to turn out for equality in November.”

“The current administration has attacked and threatened the civil liberties of various communities. Instead of backing down, the Human Rights Campaign is working harder than ever to protect the freedoms of our LGBTQ communities,” said Kirkpatrick. “I'm honored to have HRC's endorsement -- a group that fights against discrimination and honors human rights, is an organization I'm proud to work alongside.” 

During her tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, Kirkpatrick scored a perfect 100 on HRC’s Congressional Scorecard -- a critical tool for measuring members’ of Congress support for LGBTQ equality and policies. She was a co-sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and supported a ban on employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity by federal contractors. Kirkpatrick is committed to passing the Equality Act, important federal legislation that would finally guarantee explicit, comprehensive non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people under our nation’s civil rights laws.

In Arizona, HRC has identified more than 800,000 “Equality Voters” -- voters who support LGBTQ-inclusive policies. HRC has prioritized investments and organizing in Arizona in the 2018 cycle, and has staff and resources on the ground in the state as part of the largest grassroots expansion in the organization’s 38-year history.