Post submitted by Stephen Peters, former Senior National Press Secretary and Spokesperson

HRC announced its endorsement of Lupe Valdez (D) in her race to become the next governor of Texas. Valdez is the first out LGBTQ Latina candidate in the country to win a major party’s nomination for governor.

“Lupe Valdez is a trailblazing champion of equality who is committed to fighting for all Texans,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “From access to affordable health care to quality public education, Lupe Valdez knows personally the struggles and challenges that keep families up at night. She is breaking down barriers, building bridges and creating pathways to success so that every Texan has the opportunity to achieve the American dream. HRC is proud to endorse Lupe Valdez in her historic bid for governor of Texas.”

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign. My candidacy is in large part thanks to their tireless work in eliminating discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression across Texas and the United States,” said Lupe Valdez. “With their support, I am running to inspire others to break new ground as the first Governor of Texas from the LGBTQ community, because while I am the first in many ways, what’s more important is that I’m not the last. It shouldn’t matter who you are, where you are from, what color your skin is or who you love – everyone deserves equal opportunities, and I’m fighting to make that a reality in Texas.”

Lupe Valdez’s story is the story of Texas. She is running for governor to ensure ALL Texans have an opportunity and a fighting chance. She grew up the daughter of migrant farm workers in the poorest neighborhood in San Antonio — but because she got a quality public education, served in the United States military, was able to earn a living wage, and had access to healthcare, she had a fighting chance. Lupe is a veteran, a former federal agent, and a four-term Sheriff of Dallas County.

Valdez is running to replace the incumbent, Greg Abbott (R), who has long anti-LGBTQ record. During the state legislative session last year, Abbot signed into law a patently discriminatory bill allowing child welfare organizations using taxpayer dollars — including adoption and foster care agencies — to turn away qualified LGBTQ Texans seeking to care for a child in need. The anti-LGBTQ measure also forbids the state from canceling a state contract with an agency that subjects children in their care to the incredibly dangerous and debunked practice of so-called “conversion therapy.”

In Texas, HRC has identified more than 1.7 million voters as likely “Equality Voters,” meaning they are strong supporters of progressive LGBTQ policies including marriage equality, equitable family law, and laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Last year, HRC announced a coast-to-coast campaign to mobilize voters for the midterm elections called HRC Rising, which represents the largest grassroots expansion in the organization’s 38-year history.