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

Today, HRC released the following statement on the victories of HRC-endorsed candidates U.S. Senator-elect Jacky Rosen and Governor-elect Steve Sisolak.

“Tonight, Nevada rejected Donald Trump and Mike Pence’s politics of bigotry and fear by sending Jacky Rosen, a bold pro-equality champion, to Washington,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “For more than a year, HRC worked to mobilize 600,000 equality voters across the state and we are proud to have helped played a part in bringing Governor-elect Steve Sisolak, Susie Lee, Steven Horsford and others across the finish line. Tonight we celebrate this incredible moment and tomorrow we look forward to rolling up our sleeves and getting to work with Rosen, Sisolak and others to move equality forward for all Nevadans.”

HRC has prioritized investments and organizing in Nevada for more than a year, and had 11 staff on the ground in the state as part of the largest grassroots expansion in the organization’s 38-year history. In Nevada this year, HRC members and supporters completed 1,842 volunteer shifts. In the final 4 days of GOTV alone, our staff and volunteers knocked on over 7,100 doors. Member and supporter volunteers sent over 23,000 text messages in the final weeks. HRC hosted 10 Equality Action Academy trainings to give HRC members and supporters the tools they need to take action locally in legislative advocacy and in support of pro-equality candidate campaigns. Working with scores of partner organizations, HRC also led field organizing efforts around the state to mobilize voters in support of HRC-backed, pro-equality champions who will fight for LGBTQ rights, and for the rights and welfare of all Nevadans.

HRC’s Equality Votes PAC ran several ads in Nevada, educating voters on Dean Heller’s record and why Jacky Rosen is the clear choice for Nevadans. Over 771,000 pieces of GOTV mail were sent to Equality Voters, and HRC reached over 418,000 with digital advertising campaign generating over 5.7M impressions.

What’s at stake this election?
��️‍�� LGBTQ equality
�� Immigrants’ rights
⚕️ Affordable health care
�� Women’s rights

Make a voting plan and #TurnOUT for equality → https://t.co/ldY9VsPmjA pic.twitter.com/KdcBEZdalx

— HRC in Nevada (@HRC_NV) November 1, 2018

Since being elected to Congress, Rosen has been a strong supporter of equality and fairness and an outspoken critic of the Trump-Pence Administration's assault on LGBTQ equality -- from revoking discrimination protections for transgender children in public schools, to attempting to render the LGBTQ community invisible in the U.S. census. She is a co-sponsor of the Equality Act, crucial federal legislation that would finally guarantee explicit, permanent protections for LGBTQ people under our nation's existing civil rights laws, and the Global Respect Act, legislation that would strengthen U.S. foreign policy related to anti-LGBTQ discrimination abroad.

As the current chairman of the Clark County Commission and a former member of the Nevada Board of Regents, Sisolak has a long career serving the people of Nevada. He is a strong advocate for LGBTQ equality and supports marriage equality and non-discrimination protections for the LGBTQ community in all aspects of life. Sisolak’s opponent, Attorney General Adam Laxalt opposes marriage equality, supports banning LGBTQ people from serving openly in the military, and has endorsed a license to discriminate in the health care system that would prioritize physicians’ beliefs over life-saving patient care.