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

HRC announced its endorsement of Dan Kohl for U.S. House of Representatives in Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District.

“Dan Kohl is a proven leader who will fight every day in Congress for the hard working families in Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District,” said HRC Wisconsin State Director Wendy Stout. “His leadership will be crucial in the fight to move equality forward and the Human Rights Campaign is proud to endorse his candidacy. We look forward to mobilizing our thousands of members and supporters across the Badger State to turn out for equality in November.” 

“Every American should feel safe and valued in their community and have equal access to job opportunities, housing, and services,” said Kohl. “For decades the Human Rights Campaign has fought for equality for the LGBTQ community, and I am proud to have their endorsement. Now more than ever we must continue the fight for equality and defend against threats to the progress that has already been made.”

A longtime businessman and non-profit leader, Kohl has spent his career serving the people of Wisconsin. A strong supporter of the LGBTQ community, Kohl supports marriage equality and the Equality Act, which is crucial legislation that would finally add clear, comprehensive non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people to our nation's civil rights laws. He also opposes the so-called First Amendment Defense Act — divisive federal legislation that aims to grant a license to discriminate against the LGBTQ community by misusing religion as a weapon. In November, Kohl will face incumbent Rep. Glenn Grothman, who has a deeply disturbing record of undermining equality and peddling extremist, anti-LGBTQ ideologies. Grothman has scored an abysmal zero on HRC’s Congressional Scorecard, a key tool measuring members of Congress support for LGBTQ equality.

In Wisconsin, HRC has identified more than half a million Wisconsinites as likely “Equality Voters” -- voters who support LGBTQ-inclusive policies. HRC has prioritized investments and organizing in Wisconsin 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.