Human Rights Campaign PAC Endorses Kirsten Engel for AZ-06

by Cullen Peele •

Environmental activist with a record of advocating for vulnerable populations faces anti-equality, anti-choice opponent

WASHINGTON — Today the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) PAC, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, announced its endorsement of Kirsten Engel in the race for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District seat. She is currently running against incumbent U.S. Representative Juan Ciscomani, who is a staunch opponent of LGBTQ+ equality and reproductive freedom. HRC PAC is committed to engaging its volunteers, members and supporters to mobilize the more than 170,000 Equality Voters in AZ-06 in support of Engel and other pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot.

Between her work in environmental justice and dedication to strengthening public education as a state legislator, Kirsten Engel has always been on the side of those in her community who are often the most forgotten. Her unwavering commitment to seeing future generations thrive plays a critical role in creating a better tomorrow for LGBTQ+ Americans, especially queer and transgender youth. HRC is committed to retaking a pro-equality majority in the U.S. House, and Kirsten will undoubtedly show up for Arizona families and others threatened by anti-equality forces. Arizonans deserved better than her opponent, Juan Ciscomani, who is beholden to MAGA extremists. We look forward to mobilizing our forces, getting Equality Voters to the ballot box, and sending Kirsten Engel to Washington to advocate for a more inclusive America.”

Bridget Sharpe, Human Rights Campaign Arizona State Director

For 40 years, Human Rights Campaign has fought to ensure every person is embraced as full members of society and accepted for who they are. I am thrilled to have their support for my candidacy and to join them in championing the fundamental equality of all persons.”

Kirsten Engel

Engel began her career holding positions at the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fending off threats to our planet’s natural resources. As a member of the Arizona State House, she championed access to affordable education and workforce development while also standing up to political extremists, especially when it came to attacks on abortion rights and voting rights. She also voted to repeal a longstanding ban on discussing LGBTQ+ existence when discussing the HIV/AIDS crisis.

Meanwhile, her opponent, Juan Ciscomani, has repeatedly tap-danced for MAGA extremists, including his vote last year supporting federal budget cuts to numerous programs that would provide housing and other services to the LGBTQ+ community. He has also openly disparaged transgender youth, reportedly going as far as to express doubt over a teenage transgender constiutent’s identity during a face-to-face meeting with them and their parents. Despite representing a district that President Biden won in 2020, he has co-sponsored anti-abortion legislation and celebrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022.

HRC’s Commitment to AZ-06

Equality Voters, including the more than 170,000 in AZ-06, are a voting bloc of demographically and geographically diverse Americans who are united by the advancement of LGBTQ+ equality. Equality Voters are younger, more racially diverse, and more female than the general electorate, they recognize and trust the HRC brand, and they are more likely to identify with issue-specific organizations than candidates or political parties. With this endorsement, HRC PAC will work to engage and mobilize Equality Voters in support of Engel.

Paid for by Human Rights Campaign PAC (www.hrc.org). Authorized by Engel for Arizona.

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