Organization backs Republicans and Democrats with strong records on animal welfare, horse protection, wildlife conservation, anti-cruelty enforcement, and animal testing reform
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action, a national policy and political organization dedicated to strengthening and advancing legal protections for animals, today announced its endorsements in eight congressional primary contests across Virginia ahead of the Commonwealth’s August 4 congressional intra-party elections. These endorsements will also apply in the November general election.
The endorsements include Republicans and Democrats alike, reflecting the organization’s longstanding commitment to supporting candidates based on their records on animal protection rather than political party. Animal Wellness Action evaluates candidates on their willingness to advance humane public policy, strengthen anti-cruelty laws, protect wildlife, improve the welfare of farm animals and horses, and promote modern scientific alternatives to animal testing.
The endorsed candidates are Rep. Bobby Scott in the 3rd Congressional District, Rep. Jennifer McClellan in the 4th, Rep. Ben Cline in the 6th, Rep. Eugene Vindman in the 7th, Rep. Don Beyer in the 8th, Rep. Morgan Griffith in the 9th, Rep. Suhas Subramanyam in the 10th, and Rep. James Walkinshaw in the 11th Congressional District.
“Animal protection has never been, and should never become, a partisan issue,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action. “Our endorsements are based on results. Whether the issue is horse slaughter, animal fighting, farm animal welfare, wildlife conservation, animal testing reform, or stronger anti-cruelty enforcement, these candidates have demonstrated a willingness to stand up against cruelty and advance policies grounded in science, public safety, and common sense. We are proud to support lawmakers from both parties who recognize that preventing cruelty to animals is a core public responsibility.”
Animal Wellness Action highlighted the Democratic candidates’ opposition to the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, legislation that included provisions to overturn voter-approved farm animal welfare laws in California and Massachusetts while omitting several bipartisan animal protection measures, including the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act and the Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Trafficking (FIGHT) Act. The organization also recognized their opposition to the Riley Moore amendment, which sought to weaken the Greyhound Protection Act by creating a special exemption for commercial greyhound racing in West Virginia.
The organization further praised Reps. Scott, McClellan, Vindman, Beyer, Subramanyam, and Walkinshaw for opposing legislation to strip federal protections for gray wolves under the Endangered Species Act and for voting against legislation that would limit the ability of federal agencies to address the well-documented harms caused by toxic lead ammunition and fishing tackle to wildlife.
Animal Wellness Action also recognized these members for supporting the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act to permanently prohibit the slaughter of American horses for human consumption and end the export of American horses to Canada and Mexico for slaughter. Several of the endorsed candidates have also championed the Animal Cruelty Enforcement (ACE) Act to establish a dedicated animal cruelty prosecution unit within the U.S. Department of Justice, FDA Modernization Act 3.0 to accelerate the transition to animal-free testing methods for drug development, and other bipartisan measures designed to strengthen protections for animals while promoting public safety.
The organization highlighted Congressman Ben Cline’s leadership as a cosponsor of the bipartisan FIGHT Act, legislation to strengthen federal enforcement against organized dogfighting and cockfighting enterprises that has earned broad support from sheriffs, prosecutors, agricultural organizations, and animal welfare groups nationwide. Animal Wellness Action also commended Cline for supporting congressional efforts to overturn the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s costly and scientifically unsound proposal to kill nearly half a million native barred owls.
Animal Wellness Action also recognized Congressman Morgan Griffith, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, for his pivotal leadership in advancing FDA Modernization Act 3.0 through both the subcommittee and full committee with overwhelming bipartisan support. The legislation would accelerate the adoption of scientifically advanced non-animal testing technologies while reducing reliance on outdated animal testing mandates for new drug development.
“Virginia’s endorsement slate reminds us that there are important policy areas where Americans of different ideological stripes find common ground,” Pacelle added. “Mercy for animals is a universal value in our society, and it reminds Americans of the central and beneficial role that animals play in our lives. . It good for society to taackle animal cruelty, modernize outdated laws, cut waste and abuse, and advance policies that benefit both animals and society..”
Animal Wellness Action urges Virginia voters who care about animal welfare, wildlife conservation, horse protection, anti-cruelty enforcement, and humane public policy to support these endorsed candidates in their respective contests.
ENDORSED CANDIDATES
The letter of endorsement for each candidate is linked to his or her name.
- VA-03 — Bobby Scott
- VA-04 — Jennifer McClellan (D)
- VA-06 — Ben Cline (R)
- VA-07 — Eugene Vindman
- VA-08 — Don Beyer (D) Primary
- VA-09 — Morgan Griffith (R)
- VA-10 — Suhas Subramanyam
- VA-11 — James Walkinshaw (D)