The following press release is from Sen. Donald McEachin’s office. Also, Sen. Mark Herring says, “I was honored to be endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign this morning and I am proud to be an ally in the fight for equality with Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam for Lt. Governor…As Attorney General, I will be committed to protecting the civil rights of all Virginians and to use the powers of the office to promote equality. Virginia cannot afford another four years of an Attorney General like Ken Cuccinelli, and that is exactly what my opponent, Mark Obenshain, represents. It’s time for an Attorney General who believes in equality; it’s time for fundamental change.”
Senators Speak of Progress Here in Virginia on LGBT issues
Richmond – Today, the Human Rights Campaign endorsed Terry McAuliffe for Governor, Ralph Northam for Lieutenant Governor and Mark Herring for Attorney General in a press conference with Senators Donald McEachin and Adam Ebbin and the president of the HRC, Chad Griffin and James Parrish, Executive Director of Equality Virginia.
Mr. Griffin said, in announcing the endorsement, “Virginians have a choice to make this November. One option, [the Republican ticket,] represents harmful beliefs that are not indicative of the mainstream values of either Party. But Virginians can reject that radical fringe, and instead elect candidates who support fairness, freedom and dignity for all.”
In accepting the endorsement, Senator Ralph Northam, Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor, said, “I want to thank the Human Rights Campaign for their support and confidence in me to advocate for equality as your next Lieutenant Governor. Virginia businesses need access to the best and the brightest workforce, teachers, professors, innovators, job creators, and that includes the LGBT community. That is why we need to turn the ‘open for business’ light on across the Commonwealth by making Virginia a welcoming and inclusive place for all our families,” said Senator Ralph Northam.
Senator Herring, Democratic nominee for Attorney General thanked the HRC for their confidence and support. “As Attorney General, I will be committed to protecting the civil rights of all Virginians and to use the powers of the office to promote equality. Virginia cannot afford another four years of an Attorney General like Ken Cuccinelli, and that is exactly what my opponent Mark Obenshain represents. It’s time for an Attorney General who believes in equality; it’s time for fundamental change.”
Senator Ebbin spoke of the progress being made here in Virginia. “Thomas Jefferson said laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. And minds are progressing and being enlightened every day. And Virginia is ready to wake up from history.”
Senator McEachin elaborated on the progress being made by the LGBT community and that he is sure that, with hard work, equality will be achieved. “As it says in the Old Testament, in Isaiah 54:17, No weapons formed against you shall prosper. Today that prophecy is coming true. Don’t ask, don’t tell – gone. No weapons formed against you shall prosper. DOMA – gone. No weapons formed against you shall prosper. And someday, very soon the egregious ban on gay marriage shall be gone for no weapons formed against you shall prosper. We will not stop fighting until ALL Virginians are treated equally under the law.”
Sign up for the Blue Virginia weekly newsletter
