Peter Anderson
Running for: US House (CA-39)
About the candidate: Peter Anderson is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in California's 39th District. Anderson is a retired software engineer who worked in CAD/CAM software for McDonnel Douglas, EDS, and Siemens. He served as president of the Democrats of North Orange County and was elected a member of the California Democratic State Central Committee. He earned a Ph.D. in Statistics from Stanford University and a M.S. in Computer Science at USC.
Shenna Bellows
Running for: US Senate (ME)
About the candidate: Democrat Shenna Bellows is running for United States Senate in Maine. She most recently served as the Executive Director of the ACLU of Maine fighting for civil liberties protection of all Americans regardless of race, gender, sexual preference, or religion. Shenna will be a strong advocate for the separation of church and state and has also been honored for her work to promote women’s rights and reproductive choice by awards from the University of Maine Women’s Studies Department, Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center, the American Association of University Women, the Frances Perkins Center and the Maine Democratic Party. "The Constitution and Bill of Rights unite us as a country across background, ideology and faith. I will always stand up for the First Amendment to ensure that all people are free to worship or not without government interference."-Shenna Bellows
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici
Running for: US House (OR-1)
About the candidate: Rep. Suzanne Bonamici is seeking re-election to Oregon's 1st Congressional District. The Freethought Equality Fund applauds Rep. Bonamici for her 100% score by the Center for Humanist Activism and her 95% score by the Secular Coalition of America. The Congresswoman lists her official religion as "unaffiliated". "I am honored to represent a district in Oregon with diverse constituency - including those in faith communities and nonbelievers. Our nation protects the freedom of religious institutions to practice without government influence and the rights of those who choose not to identify with an organized religion. Thank you, Freethought Equality PAC, for recognizing the importance of separation between religion and government and my commitment to religious freedom." - Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici
Rep. Steve Cohen
Running for: US House (TN-9)
About the candidate: Rep. Steve Cohen is seeking re-election to Tennessee's 9th Congressional District. We applaud the Congressman's long history of supporting the rights of nonbelievers and minorities including his 100% score by the Center for Humanist Activism, 100% score by Leadership council on civil and human rights, and a lifetime "A" grade from ACLU. Rep. Cohen met with representatives of our organization and pledged his continued support.
Mark Dunec
Running for: US House (NJ-11)
About the candidate: Mark Dunec (D) is running for Congress in New Jersey's 11th District. Mark makes his living as a professional problem solver working in a global management consulting firm. The incumbent in that district is Republican Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen who received an "F" grade on the Center for Humanist Activism's Scorecard. Mark fully supports secular government and the separation of church and state. As a member of Jewish Faith, Mark still recognizes the importance of maintaining a secular government at all costs which is why he has also pledged to take the oath of office on the Constitution should he get elected to Congress. "I'm Proud to join the ranks of New Jersey Congressman Rush Holt in being endorsed by the Freethought Equality Fund PAC. I look forward to working together with them to continue to protect civil liberties and the separation of church and state.” - Mark Dunec.
Bob Goodrich
Running for: US House (MI-3)
About the candidate: Bob Goodrich is a Democrat running for the 3rd Congressional District in Michigan. He is the President of Goodrich Quality Theaters, based in Grand Rapids. Bob believes votes trump the advertising monies spent to influence elections. He understands changes are needed to be made to reach economic fairness for all Americans. Inadequate jobs, women's rights, and government protecting our economic health are just a few of the realities Bob wants to bring to West Michigan citizens' political discussions. Bob Goodrich has been very active within the Humanist movement for years and will be a strong advocate for atheist equality in Washington.
Karalee Hargrove
Running for: California State House
About the candidate: Karalee Hargrove is seeking election to California's 42nd State House District. Hargrove, who doesn't identify with any religion, was elected as a Trustee to the Morongo Unified School District in 2012 and will bring that leadership and passion for helping her community with her to the California General Assembly. "This Country was based on the idea of Freedom. The Freethought Equality Fund is restoring that idea by supporting candidates that advocate for the protection of an individual's civil liberties."-Karalee Hargrove
Rep. Mike Honda
Running for: US House (CA-17)
About the candidate: Rep. Mike Honda is seeking re-election to California's 17th Congressional District. The Congressman has been a longtime friend of the American Humanist Association by issuing National Day of Reason statements before Congress, voting against prior "In God We Trust" legislation, and co-sponsoring Darwin Day resolutions. Our staff recently met with Rep. Honda to discuss his future support of the National Day of Reason and he agreed to issue this year's statement on May 2, 2014. "I am proud to stand strong for the separation of church and state and to defend the civil liberties of all Americans, regardless of their religious views or lack thereof. I know what it's like to have my constitutional rights violated because of my identity, and as long as I am in Congress I will work to make sure this doesn't happen to others."-Congressman Mike Honda
Daniel Moran
Running for: Texas State House
About the candidate: Daniel Moran is a Democrat running for Texas State House in District 63. Like so many of his generation, Daniel's activism began online, where he made videos and wrote blog pieces discussing politics and religion in America, gaining some popularity online as a voice for equality and reason. Once at the University of North Texas, he became involved with the school's secular group but believed there was not enough emphasis on activism and outreach. Daniel then founded the Secular Student Alliance at the University of North Texas. "I am proud to accept the endorsement of the Freethought Equality Fund. The FEF PAC is doing amazing work by supporting candidates to better represent the millions of this nation that claim no religious affiliation, including the millions here in the great state of Texas. With their support for me and other secular candidates, we can bring back the values this nation was truly founded upon and give a voice to those that are too often ignored by our political system."-Daniel Moran
Rep. Beto O'Rourke
Running for: US House (TX-16)
About the candidate: Congressman Beto O'Rourke is seeking re-election to Texas' 16th Congressional District. Rep. O'Rourke was eager to learn more about Humanism during our meeting with him and has pledged his full support of the Establishment Clause which calls for a separation between church and state. Rep. O'Rourke scored 100% on the Center for Humanist Activism Scorecard. "I am grateful for the support of the Freethought Equality Fund whose goal is to protect the core American value of the separation of church and state."- Congressman Beto O'Rourke
Rep. Jared Polis
Running for: US House (CO-2)
About the candidate: Rep. Jared Polis is seeking re-election to Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District. The Freethought Equality Fund applauds Congressman Polis for his 100% score on the Center for Humanist Activism’s 2013 Congressional Scorecard. Rep. Polis has also been a leader in Congress for the past two years by co-sponsoring House Resolutions, which sought to recognize Darwin Day as a national day of observance for Charles Darwin’s contributions to science. Congressman Polis also sponsored an amendment which advocated for Humanist chaplains in the military. “As a member of the Jewish faith and a student of Jewish history, I know what it feels like to be a minority. I am proud to stand with humanist, atheist, and agnostic Americans to defend civil liberties for everyone and protect the separation of church and state,” said Congressman Polis.
Rep. Juan Mendez
Running for: Arizona State House
About the candidate: Arizona State Rep. Juan Mendez made headlines for coming out as a Secular Humanist during the daily invocation before the Arizona House of Representatives. “I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Free thought Equality Fund, who represent humanists across the country that understand the importance of protecting the separation of church and state,” said Rep. Mendez. “This vital and indispensable principle will only remain if we take responsibility and get involved in the political process.”
Rep. Carolyn Tomei
Running for: Oregon State House
About the candidate: Oregon State Rep. Carolyn Tomei is seeking re-election in House District 41 (update: in March 2014 - Tomei decided to not seek reelection). Rep. Tomei identifies as a Secular Humanist and has worked hard to promote secular government. She has taken an oath of office nine times over her political career and has never taken it on a Bible or said “so help me God.” Rep. Tomei was an original member of the NARAL Political Action Committee and has spent years fostering equal rights for all of the constituents she represents. The Freethought Equality Fund applauds her for her years of service and for her continued commitment to advancing humanistic values.
Lee Rogers
Running for: US House (CA-25)
About the candidate: Dr. Lee Rogers is a Democratic candidate seeking election to the U.S. House of Representatives representing California’s 25th District. “I believe that everyone deserves equal representation in Congress, regardless of the color of your skin, who you love, or if you believe in a particular religion,” said Rogers. “While it is appropriate to have your decisions be guided by your own set of family values and morals, people serving in Congress should not use the tenants of any particular religious faith to make laws that affect all Americans.”
Gabriel Rothblatt
Running for: US House (FL-8)
About the candidate: Gabriel Rothblatt secured the Democratic nomination for his bid for Congress in Florida's 8th District. Gabriel is a progressive Democrat who is a strong advocate for the separation of church and state and protecting civil liberties. He has also pledged to take the oath of office on the US Constitution should he be elected. Rothblatt is very open-minded about his spirituality. He was raised Jewish and still identifies with many customs and practices of that faith. However, today he is agnostic about the concept of a higher power. "The spirit of secularism is at the core of democratic governance. The purpose of government is to protect and defend, not to promote religious beliefs, or the lack thereof. Just as America was created by pilgrims fighting for the right of religious freedom, my campaign looks to ensure that all Americans are equally represented, regardless of their sect or abstinence."-Gabriel Rothblatt
Rep. Bobby Scott
Running for: US House (VA-3)
About the candidate: Rep. Bobby Scott is seeking re-election to Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District. The Freethought Equality Fund applauds Congressman Scott for his continued support on separation of church and state issues, highlighted by his 100 percent score on the 2013 Congressional Scorecard. We believe that Rep. Scott, an Episcopalian, is a model for members of Congress that shows regardless of one’s personal religious faith, they must represent all people including those who are nonreligious. "As a strong supporter of the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses enshrined in the First Amendment, I was honored to be among the first members of Congress endorsed by the new Freethought and Equality Fund, said Rep. Scott."
Barbara Stocker
Running for: US House (MO-8)
About the candidate: Barbara Stocker is running for the 8th Congressional District in Missouri. Barbara came to Missouri in 1972 with a Master’s Degree in Biochemistry to work in medical research at Washington University Medical School. She moved from academia to the corporate world and worked for Ralston Purina and Monsanto. As a patriot and citizen, Barbara could not stand by while the gridlock in Washington destroys all that she and her family had sacrificed and worked for. A champion of Social Security and American Workers, Barbara will work to bring jobs to SEMO and common decency to Washington. Barbara is a member of the American Humanist Association and identifies as a secular humanist.
James Woods
Running for: US House (AZ-5)
About the candidate: James Woods (D) is running for Congress in Arizona's 5th District and hopes to be the first member of Congress to openly campaign as an atheist. Woods also has a very compelling story to tell along the campaign trail. A little before his twenty-seventh birthday, after years of working in the technology field in Arizona’s East Valley, Woods was hospitalized with a rare bacterial infection that nearly took his life. While in the hospital, he suffered organ failure, had most of his toes amputated, and went completely blind. James will face Republican Congressman Matt Salmon who received "F" grades from the Center for Humanist Activism and the Secular Coalition of America. "It is such an honor to receive an endorsement from the Freethought Equality Fund PAC. I share that organization’s goal of ensuring nontheists have the opportunity to make their voices heard in the political process--and I hope the support for my candidacy will help inspire other nontheistic candidates to be honest about their own nontheism.”-James Woods
