In every election, animal protection is on the ballot. At HSLF we know that pro-animal policies are only enacted if we have humane candidates in office at every level of government—that is why we work so hard to get them elected—and that’s something that we couldn’t do without your help. Thank you for making your voices heard this year and thank you for your support.
Because of you, HSLF identifies and backs candidates from broad political backgrounds who are united by a shared goal that is our mission: to create a more humane society. This election year, we endorsed 775 candidates for office in a host of federal, state, and local races, and while we must wait for the remaining ballots to be counted, we can proudly report that many candidates we supported this year have won their elections.
With Donald Trump returning to the White House as our 47th president, there are several meaningful, pro-animal actions that HSLF hopes to see his administration take. Given the incessant attacks against state animal protection laws over the last decade, HSLF wants to see the executive branch affirm and respect the freedom and autonomy of states to regulate issues related to animal welfare and food safety within their own borders, of special importance within the United States Department of Agriculture.
There are several undecided outcomes that will help to determine the composition and course of the next U.S. Congress, but today, there are many races whose outcomes animal advocates can celebrate.
Importantly, Congressional Animal Protection Caucus co-chairs Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), and Sharice Davids (D-Kan.) all secured victories in their respective races. Their leadership is inspiring, and they have provided incalculable political and practical advice to us over the years. At the same time, they have championed, together and separately, many strong animal protection measures, from cracking down on puppy mills to equipping the Department of Justice with the tools it needs to enforce the Animal Welfare Act.
This year we say a fond farewell and sincere thank you to Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), whose leadership of the bipartisan Congressional Animal Protection Caucus helped pave the way for some of our biggest successes. We are glad to report that his congressional district will now be represented by Maxine Dexter (D). As an Oregon state representative, Dexter sponsored new laws to phase out the selling of puppies and kittens in Oregon pet stores, prohibit the sale of newly animal-tested cosmetics, and more. In other words, her leadership helped pave the way for real, lifesaving change for the animals of Oregon, and she is now poised to lead similar advances at the national level.
Many other animal advocates are returning to Congress, including Nancy Mace (R-S.C.). HSLF endorsed Mace due to her work on a number of animal protection initiatives, including efforts to strengthen the Animal Welfare Act, end cruel testing and research on animals, ensure that the houseless are able to find refuge along with their beloved pets, and more.
HSLF is eager to see these leaders carry on their compassionate work in Congress. As their career trajectories make evident, state legislators often champion animal protection policies that, in their actual reach and by their example, affect the lives of thousands of animals.
We didn’t just focus on federal candidates—our enthusiasm for humane-minded candidates encompassed the full ballot of races this year.
For example, HSLF was proud to support Kelly Ayotte (R), the next governor of New Hampshire. As a U.S. senator, Ayotte championed several animal protection issues. Among other actions, she introduced bills to outlaw the cruel practice of horse soring and to equip shelters to protect both human and animal survivors of domestic violence.
In North Carolina, Congressman Jeff Jackson (D) will be sworn in as the state’s Attorney General after making his case to the voters. In this role, Jackson can enforce existing animal welfare laws and support the expansion of legal protections for animals at the state level.
We anticipate powerful work from these two leaders in their states.
Many familiar and friendly faces are returning to state legislatures across the country. Michiganders voted to send Penelope Tsernoglou (D) back to the State House. Rep. Tsernoglou’s leadership in combatting the puppy mill-to-pet store pipeline and strengthening animal cruelty laws has been indispensable to our efforts to make her state a better place for companion animals.
Arizonans reelected Rep. John Kavanagh (R), another stalwart ally, in a resounding vote. Representative Kavanagh’s work on bills to end breed discrimination by insurance companies and crack down on cockfighting has distinguished him as a leader in animal protection not just in Arizona but across the country. We look forward to making more progress with allies like him at our side.
This past August, Massachusetts enacted a landmark new law banning the use of primates, bears, big cats, giraffes and elephants in traveling acts and circuses, where cruel training and intense confinement are commonplace. HSLF was proud to support the reelection of the sponsors who introduced and fought for the bill—State House Minority Leader Bradley Jones (R), State Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R), Rep. Carole Fiola (D), and Sen. Adam Gomez (D) will return to office, where we hope they will continue to lead for animals in their state.
In recognition of our opportunities to improve the lives of animals by working at every level of government, not just the state and federal level, our endorsement work has increasingly included local offices. This year, HSLF endorsed standout candidates in a number of key local races this year.
In Florida’s Miami-Dade County, for example, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava (D) was reelected. She has prioritized supporting the county’s Animal Services department, developed innovative programs to promote shelter adoptions, come down hard on substandard aquariums, and even created the position of Chief Bay Officer to safeguard the county’s marine environments.
The conclusion of a major election cycle is really a beginning, and the opening of new landscapes of challenge and opportunity. We’re still hard at work to ensure the so-called “Prop 12 fix” is not attached to the Farm Bill during the lame duck session. And we’re gearing up for what we hope will be a banner year for animals in the halls of Congress, state capitols, and local governing bodies.
To build a more humane society, we must show up everywhere, and in every election. Thank you for voting in 2024, and for doing your part in helping us to get—and stay—political for animals.
