Former U.S. Senator praised for proven record fighting animal cruelty and advancing bipartisan reforms
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action, a national policy and political organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing legal protections for animals, today announced its endorsement of former U.S. Senator Scott Brown in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate in New Hampshire. Animal Wellness Action notes that Granite State voters should know that Brown’s record in opposing animal cruelty was far superior to the record of former Senator John Sununu, who did not cosponsor a single animal welfare bill during his six-year term, despite the broad public support for these issues across New Hampshire.
“Scott Brown understands that opposition to animal cruelty is a universal value, supported by New Hampshire voters across the ideological spectrum,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action. “During his time in the U.S. Senate, he didn’t just vote the right way — he helped write the laws that strengthened our nation’s response to animal cruelty and exploitation.”
While serving in the Senate, Brown was one of the co-authors of the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, legislation designed to close loopholes in federal animal fighting laws by making it illegal for adults to attend dogfights or cockfights or bring children to these violent events. The measure was enacted as a key provision of the 2014 Farm Bill and ensured that not only organizers, but all participants in animal fighting operations, could be held accountable.
Brown also served as an original cosponsor of a broad range of anti-cruelty and animal protection legislation, including the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act to ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption and prohibit their export for that purpose, and reforms to the Egg Products Inspection Act to improve housing standards for egg-laying hens. He further supported measures to limit taxpayer subsidies to massive factory farms that undermine animal welfare, public health, and environmental integrity.
“Public support for humane treatment of animals was a hallmark of Senator Brown’s service,” Pacelle said. “Halting cruelty, cutting government waste on needless animal testing, and abiding by the rule of law are bedrock values that Senator Brown paid heed to during his time in the Senate.”
“Brown’s record on animal welfare and government waste is best compared to that of former two-term U.S. Senator Bob Smith of New Hampshire,” noted Pacelle. “A rock-solid conservative, and former chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, Senator Smith abhorred cruelty and took action consistent with his values.”
Animal Wellness Action urges Republican primary voters in New Hampshire who care about animal welfare, public safety, and accountability to support Scott Brown in the September 8, 2026 primary election.
The full endorsement letter for Sen. Brown may be viewed here.