Animals and their fate are on the ballot in every election, and 2025 was no different. Now that the polls are closed and most of the races called, we want to thank you for showing up to support pro-animal candidates and to tell you how animals won big this year.
Virginia and New Jersey state elections are often considered bellwethers for the direction of the country, and that’s why Humane World Action Fund poured time, energy, and resources into these states. We wanted to turn out compassionate voters for animals, and judging by the outcomes, it is clear that Virginians and New Jerseyans want to see the end of animal cruelty.
Two of the night’s prominent winners have served in the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus.
Virginians have gained a trusted voice for animals as their governor with the election of Abigail Spanberger (D). During her time in Congress, Spanberger proved her commitment to the most vulnerable among us by cosponsoring several pieces of pro-animal legislation, including the Better CARE for Animals Act (H.R. 5041) and the PAST Act (H.R. 3090). We have high hopes that she will encourage humane policymaking from the commonwealth’s executive office, especially on strengthening protections for pets in housing and ending wildlife killing contests.
New Jersey's incoming governor, Mikie Sherrill (D), also has a strong record on animal protection issues, as she demonstrated during four terms in Congress. There, she received consistent scores of 100 or 100+ on Humane World Action Fund’s Humane Scorecard. Among other things, she co-led on measures such as the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act, which expanded access to lifechanging service dogs for veterans. She also cosponsored key bills like the Puppy Protection Act (H.R. 2253), to strengthen welfare standards at large-scale breeding operations licensed by the USDA. We are eager to see her extend her compassionate leadership for animals from New Jersey’s executive office as we continue our fights to end the puppy mill-to-pet store pipeline, ban non-therapeutic cat declawing, and strengthen protections for all of New Jersey’s animals.
Now, let’s look at the incoming makeup of the state legislatures.
Virginians made it clear: animal advocates are serious about turning out to vote. The commonwealth re-elected a slew of humane allies. Delegate Alfonso Lopez (D), who led the charge on evaluating regulations for animal boarding establishments with HB 2313 this year, claimed victory in his race. Also returning to the general assembly are Delegates Michael Jones (D), Holly Seibold (D), Betsy Carr (D), and Anne Ferrell Tata (R), all of whom earned 100 scores on our 2025 Virginia Humane Scorecard due to their support of legislation to strengthen regulations on pet shops, increase oversight of animal testing facilities, and facilitate the retirement of nonhuman primates from state-run animal testing facilities.
In New Jersey, too, many animal advocates will be returning to their work and service in Trenton. Animal champion Carol Murphy (D) was re-elected to the state assembly, where we expect that she will continue her fight to end wildlife killing contests. Voters also resoundingly backed Assemblymember Vicky Flynn (R), who has carried a bill requiring animals used in research to be offered for adoption as well as legislation promoting establishment of a grant program to fund co-housing for people and their companion animals in domestic violence shelters. Several members proudly backing this year's humane pet store bill, AB 4051, also secured victory, including Assemblymembers Shama Haider (D), Luanne Peterpaul (D), William Sampson (D), Gregory McGuckin (R), and Paul Kanitra (R).
In addition to those who serve in state executive and legislative offices, local officials also hold substantial influence over the lives of people and their animals. Humane World Action Fund is proud to report that humane champions will lead the way in several municipalities of consequence. Among other highlights, New Yorkers elected Harvey Epstein (D), a longtime animal ally in the state assembly, to serve on the New York City Council. He campaigned on shutting down the horse-drawn carriage industry, phasing out rodenticides, and installing bird-friendly glass across the city. We look forward to the work Councilmember-elect Epstein and other local leaders across the country will do to improve the lives of animals in their communities.
Each election is an opportunity for us to make our voices heard. Looking through these results, it is clear we did just that. Thank you for doing your civic duty and casting your ballots for pro-animal candidates. We urge you to continue to do so each and every year, and especially in the upcoming 2026 elections. Next year, Americans will vote on 35 U.S. Senate seats; all 435 Congressional seats; 6,122 state legislative seats; and a number of state and local offices. In each and every one of these races, there is a chance to elevate animal protection issues and elect compassionate, anti-cruelty leaders. Let’s make it count.
Humane World Action Fund thanks you for all you’ve done this year to help us to hasten the end of animal cruelty. We urge you to join us as we gear up for next year’s elections, which promise to have significant implications for the success of our campaigns to draw animal issues into politics, and keep them there.
