In an election as consequential as this year’s, who we vote for matters more than ever.
Today, the Garden State Equality Action Fund is proud to announce endorsements of 15 candidates for elected office at the federal level, including Joe Biden for President and Kamala Harris for Vice President, and 10 candidates for elected office at the state and local levels.
The full list of the Garden State Equality Action Fund’s 2020 endorsements is available below, along with quotes provided to InsiderNJ by some federal endorsees.
Garden State Equality 2020 Federal Endorsements
President and Vice President of the United States
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
U.S. Senator from New Jersey
Cory Booker
“As our nation faces this moral moment, it is even more important than ever that we have organizations like Garden State Equality on the front lines fighting on behalf of New Jersey’s LGBT community. I am thrilled to receive the endorsement from my friends at Garden State Equality, and I look forward to continue working with them on our shared journey towards liberty and justice for all.”
U.S. Representative for NJ Congressional District 1
Donald Norcross
“It is an honor to receive Garden State Equality’s endorsement and I am proud to stand alongside them as we fight for and protect the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans throughout our state and around the country. Garden State Equality’s long standing record of fighting for justice and equal rights is evident in the progress made over the last 20 years. As fierce advocates for anti-bullying laws and stronger nondiscrimination laws for the transgender and gender nonconforming community as well as their work with at-risk LGBTQ+ youth, Garden State Equality continues to be one New Jersey’s strongest allies in the fight for fairness and a more inclusive America.”
U.S. Representative for NJ Congressional District 2
Amy Kennedy
“I’m committed to working hand-in-hand with LGBTQ leaders to achieve equality once and for all. I’m honored to have Garden State Equality’s endorsement, who is doing vital work to protect New Jersey’s LGBTQ communities. I know how important it is that we’re working to address the injustices the LGBTQ community is facing and that we’re ensuring the protections they need.”
U.S. Representative for NJ Congressional District 3
Andy Kim
“I was proud to cosponsor the Equality Act in Congress last year, and I’m honored to receive the endorsement of Garden State Equality today. I will continue to champion civil rights for the LGBTQ community until equality under the law truly means equality for all.”
U.S. Representative for NJ Congressional District 4
Stephanie Schmid
“I am honored to have earned the endorsement of Garden State Equality, a vital organization in New Jersey that is instrumental in advocating for the LGBTQ community. My opponent, Congressman Chris Smith, does not believe that LGBTQ people have the right to love who they want to love, to marry, or to raise children, and he has spent his life attacking their human rights and denigrating their humanity. What Smith does not seem to realize is that the LGBTQ community includes our brothers and sisters, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. I am running for Congress because I believe in a world where everybody is treated with dignity and respect, and all people are able to exercise their fundamental human rights—including the right to build a family with the people they love. I have been a strong ally to the LGBTQ community as a human rights attorney and U.S. Foreign Service Officer, and I will continue fighting for a safe and inclusive world for all people as the next Representative in NJ-04.”
U.S. Representative for NJ Congressional District 5
Josh Gottheimer
U.S. Representative for NJ Congressional District 6
Frank Pallone
“I am honored to have the support and endorsement of Garden State Equality for my reelection to Congress. Together, we have fought to make sure the LGBTQ+ community have the same rights as all Americans. With the passing of the Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the balance of the Supreme Court in limbo, it is as important as ever that we stay diligent in our fight to protect and expand LGBTQ+ rights.”
U.S. Representative for NJ Congressional District 7
Tom Malinowski
U.S. Representative for NJ Congressional District 8
Albio Sires
U.S. Representative for NJ Congressional District 9
Bill Pascrell
U.S. Representative for NJ Congressional District 10
Donald Payne, Jr.
U.S. Representative for NJ Congressional District 11
Mikie Sherrill
“I am honored to receive the endorsement of Garden State Equality. GSE is a force for positive change in this state. They helped usher in powerful anti-discrimination laws, a ban on conversion therapy, and legalized gay marriage. When I was elected in 2018, I vowed to bring these Jersey values to Congress. That’s why I voted for the Equality Act, and why I’m supporting Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman’s legislation to create grants to fund PrEP assistance programs. I’m also fighting to correct the records of LGBTQ+ veterans who served our country honorably but were discharged based on their sexual orientation. I will continue to advance equality legislation and fight hard to ensure they are signed into law.”
U.S. Representative for NJ Congressional District 12
Bonnie Watson Coleman
“I am honored to have earned the endorsement of Garden State Equality, an organization I consider to be a tremendous partner in our collective fight for equality and justice. It is times like these that we must understand the battles already won can be taken from us and it is only with a unified spirit that we call out those seeking to do just that. I will continue to champion the cause for equality in Congress and hold accountable anyone who moves to undermine just that.”
Garden State Equality 2020 State and Local Endorsements
State Senator for NJ Legislative District 25 (Morris/Somerset Counties)
Rupande Mehta
Rahway City Council Member for Ward 5
Danni Newbury
Asbury Park City Council Members
Eileen Chapman
Yvonne Clayton
Amy Quinn
Marlton Township Council Member
Eddie Freeman
Red Bank Council Member
Ed Zipprich
Neptune City Council Member
Pamela Renee
Monmouth County Freeholders
Moira Nelson
Michael Penna
