Humane Society Legislative Fund Announces Endorsements in Colorado Congressional Races

Animal Welfare Group Urges Colorado Voters to Choose Humane Candidates for Office

WASHINGTON (August 4, 2008)—Citing their leadership and support of animal protection policies, the Humane Society Legislative Fund announces its endorsement of four Colorado candidates for U.S. Congress, including one for the upcoming Aug. 12 primary and three for the general election.

“In order to have humane laws, we need to elect humane lawmakers,” said Michael Markarian, president of Humane Society Legislative Fund. “We urge Colorado voters to elect candidates who support the humane treatment of animals.”

For the contested Republican primary race in the 5th District, HSLF has endorsed Jeff Crank. While Crank is an advocate for animal protection, incumbent Rep. Doug Lamborn has consistently opposed common-sense animal welfare reforms, and received a score of zero on the Humane Scorecard during his first year in Congress.

Lamborn was one of only 39 representatives who voted on the side of dogfighters and cockfighters by opposing stronger penalties for animal fighting. Crank has criticized Lamborn for his vote on the animal fighting bill, saying “it was the wrong vote to cast if you love dogs and frankly if you're against crime.” Lamborn also voted against measures to protect wild horses from commercial sale and slaughter, save threatened polar bears from trophy hunting, and stop the trade in dangerous primates as exotic pets.

For the general election this November, HSLF has endorsed five-term U.S. Rep. Mark Udall (D-2nd) for the U.S. Senate. Udall has been a supporter of pro-animal legislation over the years, including legislation that would require accurate labeling of fur-trimmed garments, prohibit the commercial sale and slaughter of wild horses and burros, strengthen the federal law to combat dogfighting and cockfighting, include pets in disaster planning, and stop the abuse of downed livestock too sick or injured to walk to slaughter. Udall has also supported funding for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, and the federal animal fighting law.

In addition to Crank and Udall, HSLF has also endorsed U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-1st) and Ed Perlmutter (D-7th) for reelection.

HSLF is a nonpartisan organization that evaluates candidates based only on a single criterion: where they stand on animal welfare. HSLF does not judge candidates based on party affiliation or any other issue.

ENDORSEMENT IN U.S. SENATE RACE  
 
Mark Udall (D) ENDORSEMENTS IN U.S. HOUSE RACES

DISTRICT 1: Diana DeGette (D)*
DISTRICT 5: Jeff Crank (R)
DISTRICT 7: Ed Perlmutter (D)*

*Incumbent

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The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. On the web at hslf.org.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 519 C Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002.