More Than 30 LGBTQ+ Elected Officials Endorse Tony Evers and Mandela Barnes
Endorsements from across the state show unified support from Wisconsin’s LGBTQ+ community for the Democratic ticket ahead of November 8th
MADISON, Wis. — Today, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin announced a slate of endorsements from 33 current and former LGBTQ+ elected officials across the state who are supporting both Governor Tony Evers for re-election and Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes for election to the U.S. Senate. This represents the largest coalition of “out” LGBTQ+ elected leaders to ever endorse a pair of statewide candidates in Wisconsin’s history.
“Tony Evers and Mandela Barnes have always stood with LGBTQ+ Wisconsinites and have shown a tireless commitment to equality throughout their careers. It is critical that we re-elect Governor Evers, send Mandela Barnes to the U.S. Senate, and elect Democrats up and down the ballot so we can continue moving Wisconsin forward and make our state a more welcoming, inclusive, and safe place for everyone,” said Greta Neubauer, Assembly Democratic Leader and State Representative from the 66th Assembly District.
The stakes of the general election could not be higher for LGBTQ+ Wisconsinites. Tim Michels has campaigned on a radical and divisive agenda, and his victory would all but guarantee a step back for LGBTQ+ civil rights in Wisconsin. Michels has donated large sums of money to anti-LGBTQ+ organizations, believes that marriage is only “between a man and a woman,” and has even stated that LGBTQ+ people should not bring their identities “out of the house.”
Meanwhile, Senator Ron Johnson has actively worked against expanding civil rights for LGBTQ+ people – refusing to support federal protections for same-sex marriage and staying silent on the Equality Act, a bill that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
“Everything is on the line this November, from healthcare and reproductive rights to public education and the safety of LGBTQ+ youth. We can count on Democrats like Governor Tony Evers and Mandela Barnes to protect our freedoms and always do what’s right for Wisconsin.” said April Kigeya, a member of the Dane County Board of Supervisors. “We will not stand idly by as radical politicians like Tim Michels and Ron Johnson try to erase progress and push us back into the closet.”
A complete list of endorsers is included below. The general election will be held on November 8th.
- Tammy Baldwin, U.S. Senator
- Mark Pocan, U.S Representative for Wisconsin’s 2nd Congressional District
- Greta Neubauer, Assembly Democratic Leader and State Representative from the 66th Assembly District
- Lee Snodgrass, State Representative for the 57th Assembly District and Chair of the State Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus
- Tim Carpenter, State Senator from Milwaukee
- Mark Spreitzer, State Representative for the 45th Assembly District
- JoCasta Zamarripa, City of Milwaukee Alderwoman and former State Representative
- David Clarenbach, Former State Representative and Speaker Pro Tempore of the Wisconsin State Assembly
- Satya Rhodes-Conway, Mayor of Madison
- Dianne Duggan, Mayor of Evansville
- Israel Ramón, Milwaukee County Register of Deeds
- Larry Palm, Dane County Board Supervisor
- Chuck Erickson, Dane County Board Supervisor
- April Kigeya, Dane County Board Supervisor
- Andrew Schauer, Dane County Board Supervisor
- Dana Pellebon, Dane County Board Supervisor
- Todd Larson, Green County Board Supervisor
- Shaun Murphy-Lopez, Richland County Board Supervisor
- Genia Stevens, Rock County Board Supervisor
- Peter Burgelis, Milwaukee County Board Supervisor
- Richard Kilmer, Juneau County Board Supervisor and former Dane County Board Supervisor
- Cassandra Erickson, Former Brown County Board Supervisor
- Randy Udell, President of the Fitchburg Common Council
- Ali Muldrow, Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education President
- Patrick Heck, Madison Common Councilmember
- Michael Verveer, Madison Common Councilmember
- Kristin Alfheim, Appleton Common Councilmember
- Vered Meltzer, Appleton Common Councilmember
- Aaron Wojciechowski, Oshkosh City Councilmember
- Arvina Martin, Former Madison Common Councilmember
- Jackie Moore, Former Ashland City Councilmember and Ashland School Board Member
- Emily Siegrist, Brown Deer Village Trustee
- Phillip Bailey, Glendale Alderman
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