1451
(2 votes, average 5.00 out of 5)
Written by Mark Pocan
Sep 8, 2010
Mark Pocan
I read your editorial last week endorsing Rep. Thomas Nelson of Kaukauna for lieutenant governor, and I felt compelled to provide my thoughts on this race. Having served for six terms in the legislature and worked with all the candidates, I feel my perspective on who has the best credentials when it comes to LGBT equality might help voters as they go to the polls Sept. 14.
I don’t know of another time where so many candidates courted our community. That alone is a big plus. But I feel we need to know who has really fought for us – not just for their own political advantage but because of their values. This is what I consider most important.
In his three terms in the legislature, Nelson has voted on the couple of occasions he could with the LGBT community, as has almost every Democrat in the Legislature. While he votes OK, he has never taken a strong public position for our community. In fact, when the question of marriage equality came up at a recent forum, he merely said he supported “equality” (not marriage equality) and didn’t mention the words “gay” or “lesbian” once in a several-minute answer.
When there is a Democratic primary race, you can vote for the person who best represents your values – in this case the best person for LGBT civil rights. At least two other candidates have superior credentials when it comes to advancing equality – Henry Sanders of Madison and Sen. Spencer Coggs of Milwaukee.
Henry Sanders has gone out of his way to make marriage equality a focal point of his campaign. As a former staff person for Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, Sanders has fought on the ground for LGBT equality. As a businessperson he laid out his plan for economic progress for Wisconsin in which he stakes marriage equality as a “must” to be economically competitive. His passion and commitment make him an outstanding candidate for lieutenant governor.
Sen. Spencer Coggs has been an outspoken voice for civil rights for decades in the Legislature. His unwavering support for LGBT rights, his support for marriage equality and his accomplishments on a wide variety of progressive issues make him ready to take over as governor on day one if needed, an important quality for a candidate for Wisconsin’s number two spot. Having served with Coggs, I have never worried about whether he would vote with us or against us, because he considers himself a part of the larger “us.”
In a primary, I vote for my ideals and values first and consider politics secondary criteria. With two outstanding candidates like Sanders and Coggs, it is crucial we show our support for those who have so strongly supported our community.
Having a candidate for lieutenant governor who fights for us is more important than geography or fundraising prowess as far as I am concerned. That’s why I like both Sanders and Coggs.
Openly gay state Rep. Mark Pocan is a Democrat who represents the Madison area.
