FFRF Action Fund proudly announces this month’s endorsements of 2024 candidates with secular values.
Endorsements are based on each candidate’s commitment to the separation of state and church, the right to bodily autonomy, having a viable path to victory, and, in the case of school board candidates, their support for secular public education.
Endorsements this month include four candidates in the Badger State, given the state’s importance in the 2024 election. Several Assembly and Senate candidates will be running on new and fairer maps, making Wisconsin much more competitive than in the past 15 years.
Federal races:
Colin Allred for U.S. Senate (Texas): Colin Allred, a Democrat currently serving as the U.S. representative for Texas’s 32nd District, has shown strong support for reproductive freedoms and LGBTQ-plus issues. Running against incumbent Sen. Ted Cruz, Allred stands out as a candidate who champions the values held by the FFRF Action Fund. His opponent’s divisive rhetoric and ties to white Christian nationalist groups make Allred the clear choice in this race. Allred is also endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign and Reproductive Freedom for All. For more information, see Allred’s campaign website.
Sen. Tammy Baldwin for U.S. Senate (Wisconsin incumbent): Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat and longtime advocate for equal rights and the first open lesbian elected to the U.S. House and Senate, has consistently supported the separation between government and religion. Her religion is listed as “unspecified.” Her Republican opponent, Eric Hovde, holds views that are counter to the values of secularism and reproductive rights. Baldwin’s reelection is crucial for maintaining a voice that upholds secular principles in the Senate. She is also endorsed by the Victory Fund and the Human Rights Campaign. For more information, see Baldwin’s campaign website.
Sen. Sherrod Brown for U.S. Senate (Ohio incumbent): Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, has been a stalwart supporter of public education and opponent of taxpayer-funded religious instruction. His reelection is vital to continue the fight against the encroachment of religious ideology in public policy. Brown’s opponent, Bernie Moreno, poses a threat with his extreme anti-abortion stance and opposition to LGBTQ-plus rights. Brown is also endorsed by the National Education Association and the Human Rights Campaign. For more information, see Brown’s campaign website.
Lucas Kunce for U.S. Senate (Missouri): Lucas Kunce, a Democrat and former Marine combat veteran, is running against incumbent Sen. Josh Hawley, a self-proclaimed Christian nationalist known for his thumbs-up to Jan. 6 insurrectionists. Kunce’s challenge, although uphill, represents a critical opportunity to counteract Hawley’s dangerous rhetoric and policies. Kunce is also endorsed by Abortion Access Missouri and several labor organizations. For more information, see Kunce’s campaign website.
State races:
Kristin Alfheim for Wisconsin Senate District 18: Kristin Alfheim, a Democrat currently serving on Appleton’s Common Council, is committed to reproductive autonomy and public education. Her victory is vital to promoting secular values in Wisconsin’s Legislature. Alfheim is endorsed by the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. For more information, see Alfheim’s campaign website.
Mike Bare for Wisconsin Assembly District 80: Mike Bare, a strong advocate for the separation of state and church, is running in a contentious Democratic primary. His unwavering support for secularism and reproductive rights makes him the ideal candidate for this district. Bare has stated that he is not religious and opposes public funding of school voucher programs for religious schools. For more information, see Bare’s campaign website.
Rep. Ryan Clancy for Wisconsin Assembly District 19: Incumbent state Rep. Ryan Clancy, a Democrat, has consistently defended civil rights and social justice, and his reelection will ensure continued advocacy for secular governance in Wisconsin. Clancy is endorsed by the Center for Freethought Equality, which states that Clancy is an atheist. For more information, see Clancy’s campaign website.
Florida state Rep. Anna Eskamani (District 42): Incumbent Anna Eskamani, a Democrat, has been a vocal opponent of Christian nationalism and a defender of reproductive rights. Her reelection will provide a crucial counterbalance to religious extremism in Florida. Eskamani is endorsed by numerous local and state organizations, such as Central Florida AFL-CIO. For more information, see Eskamani’s campaign website.
School board races:
Austin Bruckner Carrillo for Hayward School Board: Austin Bruckner Carrillo is committed to protecting state/church separation in Hayward’s schools and has pledged to oppose any attempt to bring religion into them. An openly homophobic school board candidate filed an unfounded restraining order against Bruckner Carrillo as an intimidation tactic against the only openly gay candidate in the race. Bruckner Carrillo is endorsed by the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. For more information, see Bruckner’s campaign website.
David Donofrio for Ohio Board of Education District 6: David Donofrio, a former school board member, is committed to preserving the separation of church and state in Ohio’s education system. His experience and dedication make him a valuable asset to the State Board of Education. Donofrio is endorsed by the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. For more information, see Donofrio’s campaign website.
Melinda Rogers for Virginia Beach School Board District 5: Melinda Rogers is focused on inclusive policies that respect all students’ beliefs. Her commitment to secular education is essential for Virginia Beach. Rogers is endorsed by We the People for Education and Vote Mama. For more information, see Rogers’ campaign website.
Dr. Ravi Shah for Tucson Unified School District Governing Board: Incumbent Dr. Ravi Shah has been a strong advocate against religious indoctrination in schools. His reelection will ensure that Tucson’s schools remain secular and inclusive. Shah is endorsed by the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. For more information, see Shah’s campaign website.
“We are proud to endorse candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the separation of state and church,” says Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF Action Fund president. “Their leadership, at all levels of government, is vital in ensuring that governmental policies respect freedom of thought and do not impose religious beliefs on the public.”
FFRF Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization that develops and advocates for legislation, regulations and government programs to preserve the constitutional principle of separation between state and church. It also advocates for the rights and views of nonbelievers, endorses candidates for political office, and publicizes the views of elected officials concerning religious liberty issues. It is the legislative arm of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which has espoused freedom from religion in government since 1978 and represents 40,000 nonbelievers.