Ballot Measures /
The Rural Vote on Prop 2
The factory farm corporations that spent $9 million to oppose Proposition 2 in California would have us all believe that urban city slickers just don't know what it's really like on the farm. They tried to romanticize agriculture and use farmers as spokespersons, even though these are the very corporations that have polluted rural communities and pushed family farms out of business.
Ballot Measures /
Can California Break the #2 Curse?
I've been leafleting at the polls in Los Angeles this morning, and talking to Californians about Proposition 2. Voting here ends in about seven hours, and we will soon have an answer to the question that's been on my mind: Can animal advocates break the jinx of #2?
Of the dozens of statewide ballot measures on animal protection issues over nearly two decades, we've won more than 70 percent of the time. But we've never won a battle when it was #2 on the ballot.
Elections /
Mark Warner Wins Virginia Senate Race
The first candidate endorsed by the Humane Society Legislative Fund has been declared a winner this evening. CNN has called the race for Virginia's open U.S. Senate seat, and Democrat Mark Warner is the winner. Warner was a supporter of animal protection when he served as governor, and we congratulate him on the victory and look forward to working with him next year in the Senate.
Elections /
Joe Knollenberg Under Fire in Michigan's 9th District
Here's an update from Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund, who is on the ground in Michigan's 9th Congressional District:
Ballot Measures /
End of the Line for Dog Racing?
The first returns are coming in from Massachusetts, where voters are deciding on Question 3 to ban greyhound racing. With only a handful of precincts reporting, the YES side is winning 59% to 41%. This will be one to watch, and could come down to a photo finish.
Elections /
Jeanne Shaheen Appears to Win New Hampshire Senate
FOX News has called the U.S. Senate race in New Hampshire for Democratic challenger Jeanne Shaheen over Republican incumbent John Sununu. The race was one of the top targets for the Humane Society Legislative Fund, which had backed Shaheen and sent mail to more than 37,000 voters in the state.
Ballot Measures /
Dogs Will Have their Day in Massachusetts
One thing I don't normally do is make predictions. But I will say that it is looking pretty good so far for the greyhounds in Massachusetts. The vote on this issue in 2000 was a narrow 49% to 51% defeat, and the town-by-town results reported at this point show that every area is outperforming how it voted last time by 5% to 20%.
Ballot Measures /
Greyhounds Win the Race!
New England Cable News just called the race on Question 3, and the greyhounds win! It's currently 56% to 44% in favor of the YES vote, with 22% of precincts reporting. Congratulations to all the Massachusetts volunteers and dedicated campaigners who fought to the finish line for the greyhounds! This is a tremendous victory for animals, and will save man's best friend from cruel confinement, broken legs, and other abuse.
Elections /
More Senate Results in Maine, New Mexico, North Carolina
Returns continue to come in for the U.S. Senate races. HSLF-backed Republican incumbent Susan Collins has won reelection in Maine. She is a great friend of animals, a cosponsor of a raft of humane bills, and a lead author of the resolution calling on Canada to stop its annual slaughter of hundreds of thousands of baby harp seals on the Atlantic coast. We are proud to have endorsed her, and congratulate her on the win.
Elections /
Connecticut and Florida House Races
Results are coming in for the competitive races in the U.S. House of Representatives. Republican Chris Shays, one of our greatest champions for animal protection in Congress, has unfortunately lost his bid for reelection in Connecticut's 4th District. Shays is the co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus, and has been the lead author of numerous bills dealing with farm animal welfare, pets in disasters, canned hunts, and other issues.
Elections /
The 44th President of the United States
If you haven't heard, Barack Obama has been elected president! It's a historic night, and a great outcome for animals. The Humane Society Legislative Fund had backed Barack Obama and Joe Biden, as both senators have been strong supporters of animal protection legislation. We had been especially concerned about Sarah Palin's terrible record on animal protection and conservation issues in Alaska, and her retrograde policies of shooting wolves from helicopters and denying protections to imperiled polar bears.
Ballot Measures /
Early Returns for Prop 2 in California
With only 9% of precincts reporting in California, Proposition 2 is winning by a wide margin of 63% to 37%. Let's hope the solid YES vote holds, and we may see a historic victory for millions of farm animals tonight.
