WASHINGTON (October 13, 2017) —Today the Humane Society Legislative Fund, the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare, announced its endorsement of fourteen candidates—seven Republicans and seven Democrats—for the New Jersey State Legislature.
"These candidates have each exerted their influence to advance pro-animal policies, many of which have passed both chambers and landed on the governor’s desk," said Sara Amundson, executive director and senior vice president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "We are pleased to endorse these exceptional candidates and ask animal-loving New Jerseyans to support them this November."
In Legislative District 5, HSLF endorses Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D) for reelection to the Senate, where she has introduced a bill to provide legal protection to "Good Samaritans" who rescue an animal from a parked vehicle under inhumane conditions. She has also sponsored various pieces of legislation to protect wildlife from inhumane practices.
In Legislative District 7, HSLF endorses Troy Singleton (D) for election to the Senate. Serving in the Assembly, he introduced legislation to stop the use of cruel foothold traps and to end surgical declawing of cats and other animals. He has also sponsored anti-puppy mill and anti-tethering bills.
In Legislative District 10, HSLF endorses all three incumbent legislators for reelection—Jim Holzapfel (R) for Senate and Greg McGuckin (R) and David Wolfe (R) for Assembly. All played crucial roles in the passage of legislation they sponsored to establish requirements for the proper shelter of dogs and other domestic animals.
In Legislative District 12, HSLF endorses Robert Clifton (R) and Ronald Dancer (R) for reelection to the Assembly. Both backed passage of a bill to institute new requirements that would protect consumers from unscrupulous pet sellers, and have supported other animal welfare-related bills.
In Legislative District 14, HSLF endorses Dan Benson (D) for reelection to the Assembly, where he championed a bill to thwart puppy mills by establishing new requirements for pet dealers and shops.
In Legislative District 16, HSLF endorses Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R) for reelection to the Senate, where he has sponsored anti-trapping legislation and cosponsored a bill to prohibit tethering of dogs for extended periods, in inclement weather, or without sufficient shelter and water.
In Legislative District 30, HSLF endorses Robert Singer (R) for reelection to the Senate, where he has sponsored anti-tethering legislation and supported passage of an anti-puppy mill bill.
In Legislative District 33, HSLF endorses Raj Mukherji (D) for reelection to the Assembly, where he introduced a bill to prohibit the use of elephants in traveling animal acts. He also sponsored legislation to protect wildlife and domestic animals, and helped champion NJ’s comprehensive ivory trafficking ban.
In Legislative District 37, HSLF endorses Valerie Vainieri-Huttle (D) for reelection to the Assembly, where she introduced a bill to provide legal protection to “Good Samaritans” who rescue animals from parked vehicles under inhumane conditions. She also sponsored anti-puppy mill and anti-tethering bills.
In Legislative District 38, HSLF endorses Timothy Eustace (D) for reelection to the Assembly, where he introduced a bill to prevent conflicts between humans and bears by requiring the use of bear-resistant containers in black bear habitat and prohibiting the feeding of black bears. He has also introduced legislation to prohibit the use of snares to trap wildlife, and sponsored numerous other bills to improve animal welfare.
In Legislative District 40, HSLF endorses Christine Ordway (D) for election to the Assembly. A longtime animal welfare advocate, she has worked with state legislators, civic and community groups, and the general public to advance animal-friendly policies.
Media contact: Anna West, (240) 751-2669, awest@humanesociety.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.
