Endorsements

Disability Voters endorses the following candidates for the United StateS Senate. Please volunteer and talk to people in your states.

Wisconsin: Mandela Barnes (D) @TheOtherMandela, donate here, lieutenant governor of Wisconsin is running against incumbent Senator Ron Johnson (R), a vaccine critic and January 6th apologist.

Pennsylvania: John Fetterman (D) @JohnFetterman, former mayor and lieutenant governor, using disability accommodations following a recent stroke, donate here, is running for the open seat in Pennsylvania against television doctor and huckster Mehmet Oz (R), a New Jersey resident with houses around the country, and handpicked by Trump to run for the open seat in Pennsylvania.

Nevada: Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto (D) @SenCortezMasto, learn more here, is running against Adam Laxalt (R).

North Carolina: Cheri Beasley (D) @CheriBeasleyNC, former chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, learn more here, is running for the open seat running against Ted Budd (R).

Georgia: Senator Raphael Warnock (D) @SenatorWarnock, pastor in Martin Luther King Jr.’s church, learn more here, is running to keep the seat he won in a special election against Herschel Walker (R), former football player.

Ohio: Tim Ryan (D) @RepTimRyan, pro-worker, against free trade, learn more here, is running for the open seat against J. D. Vance (R) an “anti-elite” venture capitalist and Yale law graduate.

Florida: Val Demings (D) @RepValDemings, former police chief and impeachment manager, learn more here, is running against Marco Rubio (R) who strenuously opposed Trump, until that became inconvenient for his future, and has since been ineffective.

Arizona: Mark Kelly (D) @SenMarkKelly, learn more here, is running against Blake Masters (R) in what’s being called “a toss up.”

New Hampshire: Senator Maggie Hassan (D) @SenatorHassan, donate here, is running against Don Bolduc (R).

Past Endorsements

Jaime Harrison, South Carolina [jaimeharrison.com]
Sara Gideon, Maine [saragideon.com]
Jon Ossoff, Georgia [electjon.com]
Theresa Greenfield, Iowa [greenfieldforiowa.com]
Doug Jones, Alabama [jones.senate.gov]
Gary Peters, Michigan [peters.senate.gov]
Cal Cunningham, North Carolina [calfornc.com]
Steve Bullock, Montana [governor.mt.gov]
Mark Kelly, Arizona [markkelly.com]
Charles Booker, Kentucky [bookerforkentucky.com]

O'Rourke in TX Senate race

Election was November 6, 2018

Beto O’Rourke has a chance to beat Ted Cruz in the 2018 Texas Senate race. He used to be a punk rock bassist and is now a Congressman [source].

He sees a connection. “There’s very much a DIY (do-it-yourself) ethic in punk rock. You write your own songs. You record your own records. You start your own label to put the record out. You book your own tour. It is very honest; it is very direct; and it is very powerful. I think there’s something like that happening in Texas right now. [Our campaign] doesn’t have the consultants, the pollsters, the PACs, the special interests. It is an incredibly honest, direct connection with the people I want to serve and represent. Outside of family, it’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever been lucky enough to be part of. I feel so grateful. I have to pinch myself every day to make sure we are really getting to do this [source].”

O’Rourke is in Congress, where he is on the veterans’ affairs committee working on economic opportunity and health. Many veterans are disabled. O’Rourke is also on the Armed Services committee — trying to make sure that lives and funds are not wasted.

He has worked with ADAPT nationally and in Texas, which have been on the front lines of protecting rights to community-based supports and opposition to relegating people with disabilities to institutional settings [source].

He has worked on trying to expand access to health care for working families with disabled children, noting that in Texas, if they earn over $36,450, they can’t get help from the Medicaid buy-in program, and some “solve” this problem by divorcing so their children can get the help they need [source].

It’s important to note that Beto is also a cosponsor of Disability Integration Act - DIA in the House (HR 2472).

Virginia governor’s race

Election was November 7, 2017

Support Ralph Northam (D)

Opponent Ed Gillespie (R)

Ralph Northam is a pediatric neurologist who has personal experience with barriers to adequate health care for people with disabilities. In his political career, he has worked with some success to expand access. Ed Gillespie opposes Medicaid expansion, which the Virginia legislature has blocked under the current Democratic governor. The legislature is far more Republican than the electorate, because of gerrymandering that reduces the impact of minority voters and allows incumbent politicians to choose their voters. On other issues of special concern to people with disabilities, Northam’s positions are “moderate” rather than excellent. But Gillespie would defund public education, cut taxes on corporations and wealthy individuals, and otherwise attack public services on which all people depend.  Support Ralph Northam here.

New Jersey governor’s race

Election was November 7, 2017

Support Phil Murphy (D)

Opponent Kim Guadagno (R)

Disability Voters supports Phil Murphy for New Jersey governor. This race is tightening. New Jersey may continue to be governed by Republicans who advocate health and education cuts. Support Phil Murphy here.

Alabama Senate race

Electio was December 12, 2017

Support Doug Jones (D)

Opponent Roy Moore (R)

Trump policies are hitting Alabama hard and Alabama has few people rich enough to benefit from GOP tax proposals. Disability Voters supports Doug Jones, an honest, capable fighter for health care for all, and opposes Roy Moore, who fiercely opposes the Affordable Care Act and has made clear his disrespect for laws with which he disagrees. Support Doug Jones here.