1379
(26 votes, average 2.85 out of 5)
Aug 25, 2010
Tom Nelson (left) is an effective campaigner. – Photo: Courtesy
The three leading contenders on the Democratic ticket for lieutenant governor express unqualified support for LGBT equality and have gone to some lengths to demonstrate that support. Businessman Henry Sanders, state Sen. Spencer Coggs and Assembly Majority Leader Tom Nelson all have earned our votes on this issue.
LGBT citizens of Wisconsin owe a particular debt of gratitude to Sanders, who has made our civil rights – and especially our marital rights – a cornerstone of his campaign. In his outreach to editorial boards and voters, Sanders has proven an outspoken champion of same-sex marriage, stressing its economic-development benefits at a time when job creation is uppermost on the minds of Wisconsin voters.
Sanders, who formerly served as Tammy Baldwin’s outreach coordinator on labor, jobs and environmental issues, has in effect made LGBT civil rights the second-most important issue in his campaign – behind jobs. In his appearances throughout the state, Sanders has circulated petitions calling for repeal of Wisconsin’s same-sex marriage ban. He has appeared at most, if not all, major community events during this election season, including the July protest in Madison against the National Organization for Marriage’s appearance there.
State Sen. Spencer Coggs also has earned our respect and appreciation. As a 27-year veteran of the Legislature, he has consistently supported LGBT rights and HIV/AIDS funding. Coggs says he embraces our struggle for equality as part of his family’s tradition of civil rights activism and public service – a tradition that includes an uncle who was one of Wisconsin’s first African-American state representatives and an aunt who served as the state’s first black female legislator.
Nelson has been an effective LGBT advocate behind the scenes – and in the face of potential political backlash. Unlike Coggs, whose Milwaukee district is dependably Democratic, and Sanders, who has never held political office, Nelson has consistently stood firm on equality issues even though he represents a Fox Valley constituency that’s majority Republican.
When Democratic leadership pushed Nelson to support the same-sex marriage ban in 2006, he refused. As majority leader, he shepherded the domestic partner registry law through the Assembly, and he has used the power of his office to keep anti-LGBT legislation from reaching the floor.
But our major reason for endorsing Nelson is that he brings the most political strength to the Democratic gubernatorial ticket. Scott Walker, the likely Republican nominee, has vowed to erase the fragile gains that LGBT Wisconsinites have made toward equality. Tom Barrett, on the other hand, has vowed to protect our rights. It is in the best interests of LGBT voters that Barrett has a running mate who increases his odds of winning.
Coggs and Sanders both believe they can help Barrett by energizing the Democratic base, including labor, youth and minority voters. But Sanders’ ability to turn out the vote is unproven and Coggs’ name recognition and political organization are limited to the Milwaukee area. And either Coggs or Sanders, who is from Dane County, could add geographic drag to the Democratic ticket in rural and small-town Wisconsin.
On the other hand, Nelson’s name-recognition and popularity in Green Bay and Appleton could prove very helpful to Barrett. So could his access to money and his record as an energetic campaigner who’s able to bridge ideological divides: Nelson was re-elected in a district that’s 55-percent Republican by a 64-percent margin while maintaining not only an excellent record on LGBT rights but also perfect voting scores from Planned Parenthood and the League of Conservation Voters.
While the office of lieutenant governor has very little power in Wisconsin, this primary race could prove critical to the future of LGBT Wisconsinites. Vote for Nelson on Sept. 14.
