LGBT state advocacy group endorses Fisher, Whilden, Wilson, Nesbitt

The Equality NC Action Fund endorsed Buncombe County General Assembly candidates Susan Fisher, Jane Whilden, Susan Wilson and Martin Nesbitt. Here’s the press release from the state LGBT advocacy group:

Equality NC Action Fund Announces 2012 Legislative Candidate Endorsements

Statewide LGBT Advocacy Group’s PAC Provides Online Voter Guide Endorsing North Carolina’s Pro-Equality Legislative Candidates

Raleigh, N.C. — Equality NC Action Fund, the political action committee (PAC) of North Carolina’s statewide Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) advocacy group, Equality NC, today announced its first round of endorsements for the 2012 General Election. These endorsements highlight preferred candidates in races for the North Carolina General Assembly. Endorsements for Governor, Council of State, and judicial races will be announced next week.

The announcement comes on the one-year anniversary of the passage of Senate Bill 514, otherwise known as the ballot referendum “Amendment One,” that spurred record turnout in the May primary election and went on to ban relationship recognitions for gay and lesbian North Carolinians.

“We are excited to announce our support for candidates who have demonstrated through both words and deeds, their commitment to equality for all North Carolinians, including a stance against Amendment One.” stated Stuart Campbell, Executive Director of Equality NC Action Fund. “By evaluating their responses to our questionnaire, reviewing their voting records, and seeing first-hand their work over the past months and years, we are happy to not only recommend these candidates to North Carolina voters, but encourage all fair-minded citizens to support them financially, through volunteering and most importantly, at the ballot box.”

Equality NC Action Fund evaluates candidates using multiple factors. Each candidate is provided an LGBT issue-based questionnaire, some are selected for interviews, and public position statements and past voting records are also considered.

“All of the candidates listed below are worthy of our support and vote and Equality NC Action Fund will in turn focus on strong pro-equality candidates in key races statewide,” explained Campbell. “In the process, our work continues to not only support candidates who stand with us 100% of the time, but also to work with and educate elected officials who are willing to understand and evolve on our issues.”

All endorsements can be found in the Equality NC Action Fund 2012 Online Voter Guide at www.equalitync.org/pac/voterguide2012.

First round legislative endorsements, include:

State House of Representatives

District/Candidate

7 Angela R. Bryant

18 Susi Hamilton

24 Jean Farmer-Butterfield

29 Larry Hall

30 Paul Luebke

31 Mickey Michaux, Jr.

34 Deborah K. Ross

37 Jason Wunsch

38 Yvonne Holley

39 Darren G. Jackson

41 Jim Messina

42 Marvin W. Lucas

44 Rick Glazier

45 Eddie Dees

49 Keith Karlsson

50 Valerie Foushee

54 Deb McManus

56 Verla Insko

57 Pricey Harrison

58 Alma Adams

60 Marcus Brandon

63 Patty Philipps

71 Evelyn Terry

74 David Moore

85 JR Edwards

86 Jim Cates

88 Martha Alexander

92 Robin Bradford

93 Cullie Tarleton

99 Rodney Moore

100 Tricia Cotham

102 Becky Carney

107 Kelly Alexander

110 Jamar McKoy

114 Susan C. Fisher

115 Susan E. Wilson

116 Jane Whilden

State Senate

9 Deb Butler

11 Clarence A. Bender

14 Dan Blue

15 Sig Hutchinson

16 Josh Stein

17 Erv Portman

18 Doug Berger

20 Floyd McKissick, Jr.

22 Mike Woodard

23 Ellie Kinnaird

27 Myra Slone

31 Delmas Parker

40 Malcolm Graham

44 Ross Bulla

45 Roy J. Carter

46 John T. McDevitt

49 Martin Nesbitt

Equality NC is a statewide organization working to secure equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender North Carolinians.

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About Jake Frankel
Jake Frankel is an award-winning journalist who enjoys covering a wide range of topics, from politics and government to business, education and entertainment.

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