Organization backs candidates with strong records on animal welfare, horse protection, wildlife conservation, and opposition to efforts to undermine voter-approved farm animal welfare laws.
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 21 congressional contests across New York, including both general-election and Democratic primary races.
The organization cited the candidates’ leadership on a wide range of animal welfare, wildlife conservation, horse protection, anti-animal-fighting enforcement, farm animal welfare, and animal testing reform initiatives, as well as their willingness to advance humane public policy.
“New York has one of the strongest congressional delegations in the nation when it comes to animal protection issues,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action. “While these candidates come from different political backgrounds and represent diverse constituencies, they have demonstrated that concern for animals is not a partisan issue. They have shown a commitment to preventing cruelty, protecting wildlife, strengthening enforcement against animal abuse, and advancing practical solutions that reflect both science and compassion.”
Animal Wellness Action highlighted the candidates’ support for a broad range of major animal-protection priorities pending before Congress, including the Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act, the Animal Cruelty Enforcement (ACE) Act, FDA Modernization Act 3.0, the Greyhound Protection Act, the Snowmobiles Aren’t Weapons (SAW) Act, and the Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Trafficking (FIGHT) Act.
The organization also recognized many of the endorsed candidates for opposing efforts to overturn voter-approved farm animal welfare laws in California and Massachusetts, resisting attempts to weaken wildlife protections under federal law, supporting reforms to accelerate the transition to modern animal-free testing methods, and backing stronger federal enforcement against organized animal cruelty offenses.
“Whether the issue is horse slaughter, animal fighting, farm animal welfare, wildlife conservation, greyhound racing, or animal testing reform, these candidates have demonstrated a willingness to stand up for policies that reflect both science and compassion,” Pacelle said. “Their efforts reflect the growing recognition that preventing cruelty to animals is an important public-policy priority closely connected to public safety, responsible governance, and community values.”
Pacelle also noted that many of the endorsed candidates have supported or been encouraged to support additional bipartisan measures designed to combat organized animal fighting enterprises, strengthen enforcement against cruelty offenses, protect horses from slaughter, and accelerate the development of modern alternatives to animal testing.
“A profound respect for the humane treatment of animals is a value shared by Americans across the political spectrum,” Pacelle added. “How we treat animals reflects our character as a society. These candidates recognize that protecting animals and protecting communities often go hand in hand.”
Animal Wellness Action urges voters across New York 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.
NY-01 — Nick LaLota (R)
NY-02 — Andrew Garbarino (R)
NY-03 — Tom Suozzi (D)
NY-04 — Laura Gillen (D) Primary
NY-05 — Gregory Meeks (D)
NY-06 — Grace Meng (D)
NY-08 — Hakeem Jeffries (D)
NY-09 — Yvette Clarke (D)
NY-10 — Dan Goldman (D)
NY-11 — Nicole Malliotakis (R)
NY-12 — Alex Bores (D) Primary
NY-12 — Micah Lasher (D) Primary
NY-14 — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D)
NY-15 — Ritchie Torres (D)
NY-16 — George Latimer (D)
NY-17 — Mike Lawler (R)
NY-18 — Pat Ryan (D)
NY-19 — Josh Riley (D)
NY-20 — Paul Tonko (D)
NY-23 — Nick Langworthy (R)
NY-24 — Claudia Tenney (R)
NY-25 — Joe Morelle (D)
NY-26 — Tim Kennedy (D)