Virginia Partisans Recommends Brian Moran for Governor

~ Fighter for Equality~

ARLINGTON, Va. - The Virginia Partisans Gay and Lesbian Democratic Club today recommended that equality-minded voters support Brian Moran in the Democratic Primary for Governor on June 9.

“Throughout his career, he’s fought alongside us– not just in his voting record, but also in the leadership positions he has taken in support of equality,” Partisans President Charley Conrad said. “And even now, during this campaign, he continues to push pro-equality positions, despite any potential political risk. The LGBT community is standing firmly with Brian because he has always stood up for us.”

Monday’s Washington Post reported that Moran was the only candidate for Governor calling for the repeal of the anti-gay “Marshall-Newman” amendment passed in 2006. Moran was the only candidate to oppose the constitutional amendment in the legislature as well. Creigh Deeds supported the constitutional amendment in the legislature, and Terry McAuliffe took no position on the proposal prior to its passage on Election Day 2006.

In making the recommendation, the Virginia Partisans Board of Directors considered the candidates’ track records on issues as well as their current campaign positions. While other nearby states are actively taking steps to promote equality, gays in Virginia are still reeling from the passage of the anti-gay-marriage Marshall-Newman Constitutional Amendment in 2006.

The two houses of the state legislature each had approximately 15 recorded votes related to the amendment proposal, including attempts to kill the proposal, to amend it, to change the wording on the ballot itself, and for final passage over two years. Moran voted with the LGBT community’s interests on all of those votes. Moran was an early and vocal leader among elected officials in opposing it, and he campaigned statewide against it. Through his leadership and efforts, other top Democratic elected officials also followed suit, including Gov. Tim Kaine, former Gov. (and now Sen.) Mark Warner, and then-candidate Sen. James Webb.

During the current gubernatorial campaign, Moran continues his leadership on this issue, urging the amendment’s prompt repeal during candidate debates and forums and on the campaign trail. Deeds and McAuliffe have refused to join Moran’s call for repeal.

The Virginia Partisans is the leading democratic GLBT organization in Virginia. In existence since 1992, they have fought to elect great Democratic candidates like Mark Warner, Chuck Robb, Tim Kaine and President Barack Obama.

Brian Moran has a 20-year record of service to the people of Virginia. He was Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus and a Delegate from Alexandria City and Fairfax County. Prior to that, he served as a prosecutor in Arlington County.

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