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

With less than two weeks until the crucial midterm elections, HRC is exposing the record of Vice President Mike Pence, who is scheduled to campaign with anti-equality candidates Adam Laxalt, Senator Dean Heller and Cresent Hardy. Pence, Laxalt, Heller and Hardy all have long records of undermining LGBTQ equality.

“In races up and down the ballot this year, the choice for Nevada voters could not be more clear,” said HRC Nevada State Director Briana Escamilla. “In a state with more than 600,000 Equality Voters, Laxalt, Heller and Hardy’s long records of rolling back progress and attacking the LGBTQ community prove they are out of touch with the majority of voters and unfit to represent the people of Nevada, who believe in fairness and equality. We need lawmakers like Jacky Rosen, Steve Sisolak and Steve Horsford, who will stand up to the discriminatory Trump-Pence administration here and in Washington, rather than double down on their politics of prejudice. With Election Day in 10 days and early voting already in full swing, we’re on the ground working harder than ever to elect these pro-equality champions and ensure Nevada remains welcoming and open to all.”

As Laxalt, Heller and Hardy align themselves with the anti-LGBTQ Trump-Pence administration, HRC is on the ground mobilizing our members and supporters and nearly 600,000 Equality Voters in Nevada to elect Steve Sisolak as Governor, Rep. Jackie Rosen to the U.S. Senate and Steve Horsford to Congress (NV-04). HRC has prioritized investments and organizing in Nevada, 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.

Adam Laxalt has made virulent anti-LGBTQ activism a cornerstone of his political career. Laxalt opposes marriage equality, previously vowing to “vigorously” defend the state’s now defunct marriage ban, and supports banning LGBTQ people from serving openly in the military. Laxalt has also supported a license to discriminate in the health care system that would prioritize physicians’ beliefs over life-saving patient care, and opposes the Obama Administration’s live-saving guidance protecting LGBTQ youth facing discrimination in our schools. HRC-endorsed Steve Sisolak has a long career serving the people of Nevada. He is a strong advocate for LGBTQ equality who supports marriage equality and non-discrimination protections for the LGBTQ community in all aspects of life.

While in office Senator Dean Heller has opposed marriage equality and voted against the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” He also voted against the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr Hate Crimes Prevention Act to provide federal protections from hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity. His opponent, HRC-endorsed Rep. Jacky Rosen (NV-03), has been a champion for LGBTQ equality since joining Congress. Rosen has been an outspoken critic of the Trump-Pence Administration’s assault on the LGBTQ community, from revoking discrimination protections for transgender children in public schools, to attempting to erase the LGBTQ community in the U.S. census. She is a co-sponsor of the Equality Act and the Global Respect Act, legislation that would strengthen U.S. foreign policy related to anti-LGBTQ discrimination abroad.

Former U.S. Representative Cresent Hardy (R) received a zero on HRC’s scorecard during his time in Congress. He was a cosponsor of the discriminatory First Amendment Defense Act, and has called for the reinstatement of the failed Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy that banned openly gay people from serving in the military. During his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, his opponent Horsford scored a perfect 100 on HRC’s Congressional Scorecard, which measures members’ of Congress support for LGBTQ equality and policies. Horsford supports marriage equality and the Equality Act, crucial federal legislation that would finally guarantee comprehensive protections for LGBTQ people under our nation's civil rights laws.

HRC’s comprehensive “The Real Mike Pence” campaign includes a report, microsite and series of videos that shine a spotlight on Pence’s decades-long crusade against LGBTQ equality, and inside-the-White House efforts leading the Trump-Pence administration’s attacks on LGBTQ people.