With the general election rapidly approaching, labor unions, the Humane Society, LGBTQ Equality Fund and Human Rights Campaign have made endorsements
By Tom Waring
The Times
The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO has made its endorsements for the general election.
Statewide, the union is backing Gov. Tom Wolf and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. for re-election.
In the 1st Congressional District, the AFL-CIO is supporting Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick.
In the 6th Senatorial District, the union has endorsed Sen. Tommy Tomlinson over state Rep. Tina Davis.
In state House races, the AFL-CIO is backing incumbent Reps. Gene DiGirolamo, John Galloway, Tina Davis, Frank Farry and Helen Tai. Galloway is unopposed.
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Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick is the only Pennsylvania U.S. House Republican candidate endorsed by the union, which is backing Democrats in the other 17 races.
AFL-CIO president Rick Bloomingdale said, “We proudly endorse candidates that support working people’s rights to join a union, earn a living wage and retire with dignity.”
“Receiving this endorsement is truly an honor because it solidifies what I strive so hard to do each day: represent the working families of Bucks and Montgomery counties as an independent voice, concerned more for their welfare than partisan labels. I plan to continue to support policies that are in the best interest of local workers and their families; policies that result in more jobs, higher wages and secure benefits,” Fitzpatrick said.
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The National Federation of Independent Business has endorsed Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick in the 1st Congressional District.
“I am thrilled to be chosen as the voice of small business owners in Bucks and Montgomery counties. Small businesses play a vital role in spurring innovation and providing our residents with stable employment. Small businesses are the economic backbone of this district and the country as well. I look forward to supporting policies that help them to thrive and, more importantly, grow,” Fitzpatrick said.
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The Humane Society Legislative Fund endorsed Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick over Democrat Scott Wallace in the 1st Congressional District.
“The amount of compassion we show for animals is reflective of our greater priorities and values as a society. A culture that respects the dignity of all living things is one that I want to live in and represent in the U.S. House of Representatives. To that end, I can promise that this endorsement will not be the end of my actions defending the safety and welfare of animals in Bucks and Montgomery counties and all over the country. I promise to continue to vote in their interest as well as sign onto any legislation which enhances their protections and quality of life,” Fitzpatrick said.
Fitzpatrick received a score of 100 on the Humane Society’s Humane Scorecard, which provides a snapshot of each elected official’s record on animal protection issues. He was the lead sponsor of the Puppy Protection Act, which cracks down on abusive breeding facilities, otherwise known as puppy mills.
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The American Unity LGBTQ Equality Fund, whose purpose is to advance the cause of freedom for LGBTQ Americans by making the conservative case that freedom truly means freedom for everyone, has announced its endorsement of Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick in the 1st Congressional District.
“In Congress he has been a champion for LGBTQ freedom and individual rights and stood with American Unity Fund for many critical votes,” said American Unity Fund president Margaret Hoover.
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Meanwhile, the Human Rights Campaign endorsed Scott Wallace in the 1st Congressional District.
“Scott Wallace is a strong champion for equality who will work hard to ensure that every Pennsylvanian is able to live, work and provide for their family without fear of harassment and discrimination,” said HRC Pennsylvania state director Allison VanKuiken. “We thank him for supporting the federal Equality Act, which would provide essential protections to the LGBTQ community and proudly endorse his candidacy to represent Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District.”
“I am proud to stand with Pennsylvania’s LGBTQ community and to recommit to always being a partner in the battle for justice for every American and Pennsylvanian no matter who they love,” Wallace said. “As your next congressman from Pennsylvania’s 1st district, I promise to be your loyal ally in Congress and I am honored to accept an endorsement from the Human Rights Campaign. I know that with this endorsement comes great responsibility to the LGBTQ community and I do not take this responsibility lightly.” ••
