MILWAUKEE -- Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, announced its endorsement of seven pro-equality candidates in the Wisconsin State Legislature.

“For too long, anti-equality politicians, like Governor Scott Walker and State Senator Leah Vukmir, have held our state back and failed to show the leadership needed to protect Wisconsinites from discrimination,” said HRC Wisconsin State Director Wendy Strout. “It is critical that we invest in fair-minded, pro-equality candidates up and down the ticket, who are committed to moving equality forward and ensuring the Badger State is open and welcoming to all. The choice could not be more clear -- and that’s why HRC is on the ground mobilizing our members and supporters and working hard to ensure we elect pro-equality majorities in November.”

In the Wisconsin State Senate, HRC has endorsed Tim Carpenter for re-election to Senate District 3; Lee Snodgrass for Senate District 19; and Jeff Smith for Senate District 31. In the Wisconsin State Assembly, HRC has endorsed JoCasta Zamarripa for re-election to Assembly District 8; Marisabel Cabrera for Assembly District 9; Mark Spreitzer for re-election to Assembly District 45; and Jodi Emerson for Assembly District 91.  HRC also endorsed State Sen. Caleb Frostman for Senate District 1 prior to his special election victory in June, and Ann Groves Lloyd for Assembly District 42.

Wisconsin is one of 28 states in the country that lacks explicit state-level protections for transgender people. Last year, Senator Tim Carpenter and State Representatives Mark Spreitzer and JoCosta Zamarripa -- members of the state legislature’s LGBTQ caucus -- introduced the Privacy Protection and Gender Identity Non-Discrimination Act, which would add gender identity and expression to Wisconsin’s pre-existing non-discrimination protections, including in employment, housing, public spaces and education. With pro-equality majorities in both chambers and a pro-equality governor, this critically important legislation could finally become law.

HRC has endorsed pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot including Tony Evers for Governor, Mandela Barnes for Lieutenant Governor, Josh Kaul for Attorney General, Sarah Godlewski for State Treasurer, Senator Tammy Baldwin, U.S. Reps Mark Pocan (WI-02), Ron Kind (WI-03) and Gwen Moore (WI-04), and Randy Bryce (WI-01) and Dan Kohl (WI-06) for Congress.

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.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

 

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