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In its first-ever endorsement of a US Senate candidate, the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund has announced its support of Vermont state auditor Edward Flanagan in his bid to unseat incumbent Republican Senator James Jeffords.
The organization calls Flanagan "the first truly competitive openly gay candidate for a US Senate seat."
Currently the nation's first and only openly gay statewide elected official, Flanagan would become the first such US senator in history by winning in the 2000 elections.
"By acting now, we have a truly historic opportunity to give members of the US Senate the vital experience of working with a dedicated, exemplary colleague who happens to be openly gay," said Victory Fund Executive Director Brian K. Bond. "Ed Flanagan will stand up to the special interests in Washington, speak up for the citizens of Vermont and help our country live up to the promise of equal rights under the law for all Americans."
"As a Vermonter working for Vermont's working families, I have been a voice for taxpayers and consumers whose health care and retirement security have been threatened by needless government waste," said Flanagan. "I deeply believe that fiscal responsibility and social responsibility go hand in hand. Vermonters deserve a government in Washington that knows the value of their hard-earned tax dollars and champions their common-sense progressive values."
As a senator, Flanagan plans to continue to advocate health care reform and retirement security. He is strongly committed to strengthening Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid for the growing number of America's senior citizens; boosting the minimum wage to keep pace with the increasing cost of living; toughening enforcement of laws to guarantee equal pay for equal work; passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to protect Americans from job discrimination based on sexual orientation; and ensuring implementation of sound, strong public health policies to combat the AIDS epidemic and meet women's health needs.
"On a wide range of issues, I am committed to championing the values we Vermonters hold dear — while holding our government to the highest standards of fiscal and ethical accountability," added Flanagan. "This is what I have done in Vermont, and this is what I will do for Vermonters in Washington. I am grateful for the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund's endorsement, and I intend to make my candidacy worthy of the trust and early confidence that the Victory Fund and its civic-minded supporters have placed in me."
"The time has finally come for at least one of the 100 seats in the US Senate to be held by an outstanding openly gay or lesbian public servant," added Bond. "Ed Flanagan's election would not only be important for the hard-working families of Vermont; it would also be a great leap forward for all Americans, gay and straight alike."
"The Victory Fund is here to let our community know when there are viable gay and lesbian candidates out there that need early financial and volunteer support to help meet the special challenges they often face," noted Bond. "Our community can help Ed Flanagan make history — but we must start helping now. As an incumbent, Jim Jeffords has had the luxury of raising money for the past four and a half years. It's now up to us to help level the playing field."
In addition to the Victory Fund's support, Flanagan has already earned the strong backing of U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass), Vermont state House Speaker Michael Obuchowski, and many other Vermont legislative leaders.
