8/8/2019 Fairness PAC Endorses Greg Fischer, Marty Meyer 10 Others in Midterm Races

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Fairness PAC Endorses Greg Fischer for Mayor, Marty Meyerfor State Senate, and 10 Other Midterm Races

(LOUISVILLE, KY) The political action committee of the Fairness Campaign, C-FAIR, proudlyannounces its first round of endorsements for the November 2, 2010 Midterm Elections(endorsement statements follow this list):

Greg Fischer Mayor of LouisvilleMarty Meyer Kentucky State Senate District 38

Representative Tom Burch Kentucky House of Representatives District 30Representative Darryl Owens Kentucky House of Representatives District 43Representative Joni Jenkins Kentucky House of Representatives District 44

Councilwoman Tina Ward-Pugh Metro Council District 9William Cohen Metro Council District 17

Justin Chelf Metro Council District 19Jefferson County Attorney Mike OConnell Jefferson County Attorney

Judge Sadiqa Reynolds District Court Judge Division 11Stephanie Pearce Burke District Court Judge Division 14

PVA Tony Lindauer Property Valuation Administrator

In the race for Mayor of Louisville, CFAIR endorses Greg Fischer with fervor. Time andagain, Mr. Fischer has made strong statements in favor of Fairness issues, including fiercesupport of Metro Louisville's Fairness ordinance, marriage equality, and a commitment to offerdomestic partner benefits to city employees should he be elected mayor. The CFAIR board hasalso been incredibly impressed with Mr. Fischer's legions of faithful volunteers, his ability toeffectively raise campaign funds at the grassroots level, and his proactive engagement ofconstituencies all across the Louisville community to develop comprehensive, informed policiesto address issues important to our city.

Conversely, Mr. Fischer's Republican opponent, Councilman Hal Heiner, who did notreturn a CFAIR candidate questionnaire, has been staunchly anti-Fairness his whole tenure onthe Metro Council. Councilman Heiner voted against the city's Fairness ordinance when it camebefore the council in 2004, and he contributed $20,000 of personal funds to support Kentucky'sconstitutional amendment banning gay marriage that same year. Repeatedly, in the RepublicanPrimary for Mayor, Councilman Heiner made statements in opposition to anti-discriminationFairness laws by citing "current federal protections" that preclude the need for state and locallaws, a blatant mistruth. Given Councilman Heiner's inclinations against protecting the rights of

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all individuals, it is no surprise he is the candidate supported by Dr. Frank Simon, our region'smost notorious anti-gay rights activist, who has personally contributed $500 to CouncilmanHeiner's campaign.

The CFAIR team also interviewed Independent Candidate Jackie Green in the race formayor. While Mr. Green is solidly pro-Fairness with a broad array of unique, social justice-conscience ideas, due to substantially low campaign fund-raising and a lack of broadcommunity support, he was not considered a candidate viable for endorsement by CFAIR.

In the race for State Senate District 38, CFAIR vigorously endorses Marty Meyer. Havingworked under the leadership of Congressman John Yarmuth for nearly four years as a DistrictRepresentative, Marty Meyer has demonstrated his commitment to issues of equality andFairness for all in the region. He will undoubtedly be a voice for those underrepresented in theKentucky State Senate.

Facing Marty Meyer is incumbent State Senator Dean Seum, a proven opponent of Fairnessissues. Seum recently joined fewer than 10 state senators voting to pass anti-adoption SenateBill 68 out of a secret session of the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2009. Senate Bill 68 would

have prohibited all unmarried couples in Kentucky from adopting, fostering, or providing relativecare services for children in the Commonwealth.

Representatives Tom Burch, Darryl Owens, and Joni Jenkins, all incumbents in theirrespective races, deserve the full support of the Fairness community for their long-standingcommitment to equality. All three have cosponsored the statewide anti-discrimination Fairnesslaw for many years, and have demonstrated an enduring desire to make Kentucky's future FairRepresentative Tom Burch also proposed legislation in the 2010 General Assembly to allowfor second-parent adoptions in the state, protecting the rights of children in same-sexfamilies.

CFAIR again endorses incumbent Councilwoman Tina Ward-Pugh in the race for MetroCouncil District 9. Councilwoman Ward-Pugh is a long-time fierce advocate for the LGBTcommunity who was instrumental in the passage of Louisvilles original Fairness ordinance.The CFAIR team was additionally impressed with Ms. Ward-Pughs leading voice in theestablishment of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, in passing Louisvilles smoke-freelegislation and in the Green Triangle Initiative on sustainability.

In the race for Metro Council District 17, CFAIR endorses William Cohen, a smallbusiness owner and board member/treasurer of the Worthington Fire Department, whoexhibited a deep understanding of the intersections of oppression during his interview with the

CFAIR team. A resident of the district for more than 30 years, Mr. Cohen cited traffic, zoning,library and public health issues among his chief concerns in the race, and offered practicalideas for improvement.

CFAIR endorses Justin Chelf for Metro Council District 19, currently Councilman HalHeiner's seat. We strongly believe Mr. Chelf will bring to that district the progressive voice it hasbeen missing for some many years. Mr. Chelf is strong on issues of Fairness, and has been afixture at social justice events since before he announced his candidacy.

In the race for Jefferson County Attorney, CFAIR endorses incumbent Mike OConnell, a

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former board member of the Louisville Metro human Relations Commission who testified infavor of the Fairness Ordinance before the Louisville Metro Council.

Judge Sadiqa Reynolds receives the CFAIR endorsement for District Court JudgeDivision 11. Judge Reynolds has a proven track record of Fairness in the court room, and webelieve she will continue to be a judicial advocate for true social justice.

In the race for District Court Judge Division 14, CFAIR endorses Stephanie Pearce

Burke, who has worked tirelessly in her career to defend those individuals who otherwisewould not have had their voices heard. The CFAIR team believes Mrs. Burke will continue to bea passionate and fair voice from the bench.

For Property Valuation Administrator, CFAIR endorses incumbent PVA Tony Lindauer,who is committed to Fairness and equality in all his work. We trust he will continue to be acareful thinker, always mindful of the issues of social justice as he assesses our neighborhoodsand homes.

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Committee for Fairness And Individual RightsP.O. Box 3431 . Louisville, KY . 40201