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

HRC announced its endorsement of Kathleen Clyde for Ohio Secretary of State, Rob Richardson for Ohio State Treasurer and Zack Space for Ohio State Auditor.

“As thousands of LGBTQ Ohioans remain at risk of discrimination, it is more important than ever that we elect pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot who are committed to protecting our state’s most vulnerable communities,” said HRC Ohio State Director Shawn Copeland. “Kathleen Clyde, Zack Space and Rob Richardson are incredible advocates for Ohio's working families, who will work to ensure that every Ohioan is equally protected under state law. We are proud to endorse their candidacies and look forward to mobilizing our thousands of members and supporters across the Buckeye State to turn out for equality in November.”

State Representative Kathleen Clyde is running for Ohio Secretary of State. Clyde, a longtime advocate for accountability, transparency and the end of partisan gerrymandering, has been a strong ally to Ohio’s LGBTQ community since joining the Statehouse in 2011. She is a co-sponsor of the Ohio Fairness Act, crucial legislation that would bar discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in areas of employment, housing and public accommodations in Ohio. Clyde has also advocated fiercely on behalf of reproductive rights and will continue to fight for fairer, more equal elections as Secretary of State.

“The work HRC is doing in Ohio and across the country to promote equality is remarkable, and I am proud to have earned their endorsement,” said Kathleen Clyde. “I look forward to continuing the important work of making our state more welcoming for LGBT Ohioans and more attractive to entrepreneurs looking to start a business and create jobs in Ohio.”

Rob Richardson is running for Ohio Treasurer. He is committed to bringing efficiency and fiscal responsibility to the office of Treasurer, putting his constituents first, and ensuring that Ohio invests in companies and initiatives that support LGBTQ equality. A longtime vocal supporter of equality, Richardson will continue to promote more equitable outcomes for Ohio’s marginalized communities, as he works to strengthen the state’s economy as Treasurer.

“I'm immensely proud to receive the support and endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign,” said Rob Richardson. “Since their inception nearly four decades ago, HRC has fought tirelessly for justice and equality for the LGBTQ community. While we've made progress in recent years, we still have a long way to go. I've always been a fighter, and I will continue to fight and advocate for equal rights until all are treated equally under the law, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.”

Former U.S. Representative Zack Space is running for Ohio State Auditor. Space has spent his career fighting for Ohio’s working families. While in Congress, Space voted to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, expand hate crimes protections to include the LGBTQ community, and to repeal the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” In November Space will be facing anti-equality extremist Congressman Keith Faber.

“I’m running for Auditor of State to rid our political system of the corrupting influences of money and partisan gerrymandering, and the extremism that they enable,” said Zack Space. “I’m proud to stand with the Human Rights Campaign to promote the fundamental right of every Ohioan to be afforded dignity, respect, and full equality by their fellow citizens and by their government.”

In Ohio, HRC has identified more than 1.8 million Equality Voters -- voters who support LGBTQ-inclusive policies including marriage equality, equitable family law, and laws that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. HRC has prioritized investments and organizing in Ohio in the 2018 cycle, and has staff and resources on the ground in the state. Last year, HRC announced a coast-to-coast campaign called HRC Rising, which represents the largest grassroots expansion in the organization’s 38-year history.