Pro-Equality Campaigns Dominate Election Night

WASHINGTON - Despite an onslaught of anti-transgender campaigning from MAGA candidates, pro-equality candidates dominated at the ballot box tonight. Voters rewarded leaders who focused on pressing issues impacting families and rejected campaigns with nothing more to offer than hate and division.

"Tonight, voters put the people first," said Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson. "Less than one year into the Trump-Vance Administration, they chose pro-equality candidates and rejected hollow campaigns of fear mongering. Voters weren't fooled by millions of dollars in cruel, transphobic ads and sent a message that they want real leadership that delivers results for their lives and livelihoods, not tired hate, division, and chaos. Pro-equality leaders in Virginia and New Jersey won not simply because they offered forward-looking visions for how to tackle this country's most urgent crises, but because they did not back down from their belief that everyone deserves dignity, respect, and equality. And Californians will make clear that we will not let a wannabe king gerrymander away our power. This country belongs to we, the people. And tonight, we, the people, spoke."

The night's victories included:

• HRC-endorsed Abigail Spanberger defeated Winsome Earle-Sears for VA Governor, who ran more than $9 million in anti-trans attacks.
• HRC-endorsed Ghazala Hashmi defeated John Reid for VA Lt. Governor.
• HRC-endorsed Mikie Sherrill defeated Jack Ciattarelli for NJ Governor.
• Pro-equality victories in the Virginia House of Delegates, with more to come.

In the lead up to election night, HRC produced a background memo outlining the failure of anti-trans campaigns to influence voters and the overwhelming support for equality among Americans. The full memo is available here.

HRC organized equality voters in Virginia, New Jersey, and California, helping to lead to decisive wins. The organization sent over 140,000 texts to voters, organized nearly 200 voter and volunteer mobilization activations, and had staff on the ground in each state.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ+ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

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