Human Rights Campaign Announces First Virginia Primary Legislative Endorsements

by Wyatt Ronan •

RICHMOND, VA — Today, the Human Rights Campaign PAC (HRC PAC) announced its support for three pro-equality Virginia legislators ahead of the June 8 primary. These early endorsees include Delegate Candi Mundon King (HD-2), Delegate Elizabeth Guzman (HD-31), and Delegate Dawn Adams (HD-68).

The Human Rights Campaign’s early support for these candidates makes clear our commitment to re-elect pro-equality lawmakers in the Virginia House of Delegates and continue to pass legislation that protects the rights of LGBTQ Virginians. HRC’s endorsements also underscore our commitment to diversity; two early endorsees are women of color and Delegate Dawn Adams is the first, and only, openly lesbian legislator in the Commonwealth’s 400 year history.

Delegates Mundon King, Guzman and Adams represent the bold, progressive leadership needed in Richmond to continue making Virginia a welcoming and inclusive place for all who call the Commonwealth home. We are committed to keeping these three champions of equality in the Virginia House. In 2019, the Human Rights Campaign asked Virginia voters to fire anti-equality legislators who were blocking legislation to protect LGBTQ Virginians. We won that fight, sending pro-equality champions to Richmond in both chambers and they have delivered by passing the Virginia Values Act and a host of other pro-equality laws. By electing and reelecting history-making legislators that better represent the diversity of Virginia, the Commonwealth has ushered in a series of new and long overdue rights and protections that have made Virginia more inclusive. The Human Rights Campaign is proud to support Delegates Candi Mundon King (HD-2), Elizabeth Guzman (HD-31), and Dawn Adams (HD-68), who will continue to champion pro-equality measures and whose reelections are key to blocking the rollback of history-making progress made for more than 257,000 LGBTQ Virginians.

Alphonso David, Human Rights Campaign President

"As a nurse practitioner and policymaker, I've worked hard to fight for justice, equity, and inclusivity in the healthcare system and beyond,” said Delegate Dawn Adams (HD-68). “I am excited to have the support of such a dynamic organization in our shared pursuit of these goals."

"I'm proud to be endorsed by my friends at the Human Rights Campaign. Fighting for LGBTQ+ rights and equality has been a major focus of my time in office, and I was glad to pass a bill requiring state employees to complete a LGBTQ+ cultural competence training,” said Delegate Elizabeth Guzman (HD-31). “I look forward to continuing to fight for inclusive policies in Richmond."

"I'm thrilled to receive the endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign,” said Delegate Candi Mundon King (HD-68). “As a member of the Virginia House, I have made it a mission to support measures of equality for LGBTQ Virginians and I am proud of the gains we have been able to make. Together we can continue the march for progress to ensure each and every Virginian is treated with dignity, fairness, and equality."

In August 2019, the Human Rights Campaign PAC endorsed 27 pro-equality legislative candidates which marked the beginning of HRC’s largest ever field, digital and direct mail program in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

From Northern Virginia to Hampton Roads, HRC PAC deployed field organizers to mobilize 1.2 million Equality Voters across the Commonwealth who prioritize LGBTQ-inclusive policies including marriage equality, equitable family law, and laws that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. In Virginia’s 2019 state legislative elections, HRC targeted and turned out these voters in the 27 districts where HRC made an endorsement. HRC will be mobilizing these voters in the three districts where HRC has made an early endorsement.

In 2020 and 2021 legislative sessions, pro-equality majorities in Virginia passed sweeping pro-LGBTQ measures including the Virginia Values Act which extends existing state non-discrimination protections in public employment, housing and credit to Virginians on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and several other characteristics. The Virginia Values Act also adds all-new statewide protections from discrimination in employment and places of public accommodations to a large range of protected characteristics. In the 2019 election, voters in the Commonwealth elected pro-equality majorities to both houses of the General Assembly, making this victory possible.

Over the past several elections, HRC has successfully elected pro-equality champions at every level of Virginia’s state government and will continue to engage in this important work in the weeks and months leading up to this November’s election.

HRC Endorsed Candidates for June 8 primary

Virginia House of Delegates:

  • Del. Candi Mundon King (HD-2)
  • Del. Elizabeth Guzman (HD-31)
  • Del. Dawn Adams (HD-68)

Contact Us

To make a general inquiry, please visit our contact page. Members of the media can reach our press office at: (202) 572-8968 or email press@hrc.org.

Topics:
Elections