WASHINGTON (April 26, 2012) -- The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Republican State Sen. Tony Strickland for U.S. Representative in California’s 26th Congressional District. Citing his strong and consistent leadership on animal protection policies in the state legislature, the Humane Society Legislative Fund urges voters in the primary and in the general election to support Strickland.
“Tony Strickland has been a leader on animal issues, especially so within the Republican caucus in the state Senate,” said Wayne Pacelle, executive vice president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “He’s been a big factor in California cementing its place as the top state in the country on animal welfare policies, and we are looking forward to working with him on national policy in Congress.”
Strickland serves as the co-chair of the Animal Protection Caucus in the California legislature. Among his efforts, Strickland has:
- Co-authored legislation to crack down on animal fighting (SB 425). The bill was signed into law.
- Co-authored legislation to ban the sale of animals in parking lots and along roadsides. It also increases fines and possible jail time for those convicted of felony animal neglect (SB 917). The bill was signed into law.
- Co-authored legislation to prohibit criminals convicted of animal cruelty from owning animals for a specific period of time after their conviction (AB 1117). The bill was signed into law.
- Spoke out on the floor, led his caucus and voted for legislation prohibiting the sale of shark fins (AB 376), to reduce the demand for finning millions of sharks and leaving them to suffer and die at sea. The bill was signed into law.
- Supported efforts to promote the adoption of dogs and cats from shelters, including hosting events and participating in public service announcements about pet adoption.
Though the 26th district has new lines, it overlaps considerably with the current 24th Congressional district, which has been represented for 25 years by Rep. Elton Gallegly. Rep. Gallegly has been one of the leading advocates for animal protection in the House, and is co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus.
Media contact: Heather Sullivan, (240) 477-2251, hsullivan@hslf.org
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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.
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. Visit us on all our channels: on the web at hslf.org, on our blog at animalsandpolitics.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/humanelegislation and on Twitter at twitter.com/HSLegFund.
Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 455, Washington, DC 20037.
