WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) PAC announced its endorsement of more than 15 pro-equality gubernatorial candidates across key states. At a time when the LGBTQ+ community continues to face attacks on their rights and freedoms from both the federal government and state legislatures, electing pro-equality governors has never been more crucial.

"The fight for our freedoms is playing out in statehouses across the country, and governors are the first line of defense," said HRC President Kelley Robinson. "Extremists are working state by state to strip away our rights and sow fear and division. But these leaders know what's at stake and understand their job is to serve all people, not just some. "That's why we are proud to endorse this slate of pro-equality gubernatorial candidates. They will stand up to attacks on our families, defend our fundamental freedoms, and focus on the cost of living crisis impacting people across the country."

Governors on the frontlines of the fight for LGBTQ+ equality can provide a crucial check on the Trump/Vance Administration and halt attacks on fundamental rights and freedoms. Governors have the power to veto discriminatory legislation, protect access to health care, strengthen civil rights protections, and advance an agenda that makes it easier for all families to thrive. The candidates endorsed today have demonstrated a commitment to building states where every person has the freedom to live, work, and raise a family without fear of discrimination.

Powered by four million members and supporters and one of the fastest-growing voting blocs in the country (LGBTQ+ people are poised to make up at least 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 is ready to do our part to get these candidates across the finish line and into governors' offices," added Robinson. "LGBTQ+ voters comprise one of the most engaged and fastest-growing electoral groups in the country and will be decisive this fall. HRC is already reaching and mobilizing volunteers, members and supporters to turn out the more than 74 million Equality Voters nationwide."

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, policy attacks, and electoral scapegoating, 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.

Today's Gubernatorial Endorsements Include:

Openly LGBTQ+ Incumbents:

Maura Healey, Massachusetts

Tina Kotek, Oregon

Pro-Equality Candidates Ready to Flip Battleground States

Keisha Lance Bottoms, Georgia

Aaron Ford, Nevada

Gina Hinojosa, Texas

Pro-Equality Incumbents:

Katie Hobbs, Arizona

JB Pritzker, Illinois

Wes Moore, Maryland

Kathy Hochul, New York

Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania

Pro-Equality Candidates in Open Seats

Xavier Becerra, California

Hannah Pingree, Maine

Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota

Jocelyn Benson, Michigan

Deb Haaland, New Mexico

David Crowley, Wisconsin

Pol. adv. prepared and paid for with regulated funds by Human Rights Campaign PAC, 1640 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20036, www.hrc.org, 202-262-8058, and Wes Moore for Maryland, Mary T. Smith, Treas. Authorized by Katie Hobbs and Josh Shapiro, approved by Aaron Ford. Not authorized by any federal candidate or candidate's committee.