11/08/11

WASHINGTON– Tonight the Human Rights Campaign – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization – hailed Liz Mathis’ victory over Cindy Golding in the Iowa SD 18 special election.  HRC endorsed Liz Mathis, a pro-equality candidate, after Governor Terry Branstad, a Republican, appointed Democratic state Senator Swati Dandekar to the Iowa Utilities Board, putting in jeopardy the Democratic majority in the state Senate. 

HRC contributed to Liz Mathis’ victory by placing five full-time field organizers in the 18^th Senate District during the final weeks of the campaign.  These organizers performed campaign duties for the state Democratic Party in addition to mobilizing HRC members and supporters to volunteer and vote in the special election.  

“The marriage issue is settled, voters clearly care about issues directly affecting their everyday lives,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese.  “Today’s election serves as a message that it’s time to get on with the people’s business.”

Earlier this year the Iowa House passed a bill to place on the ballot a constitutional amendment abolishing marriage equality.  The Democratic-controlled Senate blocked the bill from coming up in the state Senate, keeping marriage equality safe in the Hawkeye state.

Also making history tonight, Virginia state Representative Adam Ebbin will become Virginia’s first openly-gay state Senator after winning his bid for the Commonwealth’s 30^th Senate District.   

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.