WASHINGTON (October 3, 2016)—The Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announces its endorsement of Ruben Kihuen, D-Nevada, for election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Citing his strong leadership and advocacy on animal protection policies, the HSLF urges voters in Nevada’s 4th Congressional District to support Kihuen in November’s general election.
Kihuen’s opponent, incumbent Rep. Cresent Hardy, earned a “0” in the HSLF’s 2015 Humane Scorecard, which grades legislators based on their support for animal protection issues. Since winning election, he has opposed or failed to support legislation to protect the human and animal victims of domestic violence, make animal cruelty a federal crime, phase out the testing of cosmetics on live animals, strengthen the federal law against horse “soring” and prohibit the slaughter and export of horses for human consumption.
“Rep. Hardy is out of touch with the mainstream animal protection policies supported by the constituents in this congressional district,” said Sara Amundson, executive director of the HSLF. “Voters in the 4th District who care about the humane treatment of animals should support Ruben Kihuen for election.”
As a state legislator, Ruben Kihuen:
- Sponsored and passed a bill requiring research facilities to offer dogs and cats to animal shelters or rescue organizations before euthanizing them (SB 261);
- Sponsored a bill to ban the sale or transfer of ivory (SB 398).
Kihuen has indicated his intent to pursue animal protection legislation if elected to Congress.
Media Contact: John Cleveland, (202) 676-2338, jcleveland@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.
