Human Rights Campaign PAC Endorses Slate of Barrier-Breaking Trans and Non-Binary, Pro-Equality Candidates for State Legislature

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) PAC announced its endorsement of more than 20 trans and non-binary candidates across key states. With LGBTQ+ rights under continued threat from the federal government and state legislatures, electing pro-equality champions is critical to protecting our freedoms and advancing equality.

"The stakes in these races couldn't be higher for LGBTQ+ people and our allies," said HRC President Kelley Robinson. "As extremists continue their coordinated attacks on our rights and freedoms, we need leaders who will meet this moment with courage and conviction. This group of dynamic, barrier-breaking trans and non-binary trailblazers understands that their voices are needed now more than ever to ensure that everyone, no matter their gender identity, can thrive. We're proud to endorse them because they'll fight for equality, defend our freedoms, and focus on the issues that matter most to the LGBTQ+ community."

State legislators are on the frontlines of the fight for LGBTQ+ equality and fundamental freedoms. They have the power to block discriminatory proposals, expand access to health care, strengthen civil rights protections, and advance policies that help working families thrive. The candidates endorsed today have shown they are prepared to fight for communities where everyone can live, work, and raise a family with dignity, safety, and equal opportunity.

Powered by four million members and supporters and one of the fastest-growing voting blocs in the country (LGBTQ+ adults now make up 12% of the population), the Human Rights Campaign PAC is organizing to win, focusing our efforts where they matter most, building LGBTQ+ political power, and equipping communities to counter disinformation and turn out the vote. Through our $15 million midterm "Let's Get Free" program, HRC PAC is committed to mobilizing volunteers, members, and supporters to turn out the more than 74 million Equality Voters nationwide in support of pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot.

HRC's Commitment to Voter Mobilization Efforts

HRC this year launched "Let's Get Free,'' a public education and engagement campaign to reach 74 million Equality Voters, those who prioritize issues of equality when deciding who to vote for, nationwide.

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.

HRC's efforts are bolstered by new polling data conducted by Community Insights, a program of the HRC Foundation, showing that LGBTQ+ voters, in the midst of a torrent of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and policy attacks, and will be a crucial base of support for pro-equality candidates-and are already mobilized and engaged. 92% of LGBTQ+ voters, who could make up close to 12% of the midterm electorate, say that they "definitely will vote" in November, compared to 68% of non-LGBTQ+ voters.

State Legislative Endorsements Include:

Lorena Austin - Arizona
Alexis Hoffkling - Colorado
DeShanna Neal - Delaware
Bentley Hudgins - Georgia
Kim Coco Iwamoto - Hawaii
Aime Wichtendahl - Iowa
Abi Boatman - Kansas
Ambureen Rana - Maine
Alleria Stanley - Maryland
Joanna Whaley - Michigan
Brion Curran - Minnesota
Leigh Finke - Minnesota
Liish Kozlowski - Minnesota
Zooey Zephyr - Montana
Nate Ostdiek - Nebraska
Illapa Sairitupac - New York
Abigail Salisbury - Pennsylvania
Izzy Smith Wade-El - Pennsylvania
Brian Cina - Vermont
Monique Priestley - Vermont
Jaelynn Scott - Washington
Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford - Wisconsin

Paid for with regulated funds by Human Rights Campaign PAC, 1640 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20036, www.hrc.org, 202-262-8058, Stephanie Osborn, Treasurer, and by Citizens for Alleria Stanley, Elizabeth R. Meier, Treas. Authorized by Lorena Austin, Abilgail Salisbury, Izzy Smith Wade-El, and Jason Landau Goodman. Published with the approval and authority of Kim Coco Iwamoto. Sponsored by Friends of Jaelynn, PO Box 20776, Seattle, WA. Not authorized by any federal candidate or candidate's committee.