The state’s largest LGBTQ rights organization, SC Equality, announced during a press conference on Thursday that its political arm, SC Equality PAC, has endorsed James Smith for Governor.

A long-time champion for LGBTQ equality in the SC House of Representatives, James Smith has been outspoken vocal supporter and advocate for SC Equality. He recognizes that all South Carolinians deserve the same rights in our state and understands the critical need for legislation protecting LGBTQ South Carolinians in the workplace, housing and public accommodations. This past legislative session, he sponsored H-3891 “Workplace Freedom Act”, which sought to establish protections for LGBTQ employees and continues to fight against all discriminatory anti-LGBTQ bills filed at the state house.

“All the progress we have made on LGBTQ equality — and all the progress we have yet to make — is at stake in November,” said SC Equality Executive Director Jeff Ayers. “While others fight to take us backwards, James Smith is fighting to advance equality across our state.”

“We are proud to endorse James Smith for Governor and believe that he is the champion we can count on in November — and every day he serves as Governor for ALL of South Carolina,” he added.

James was one of only a handful of state representatives who in 2006 voted against amending the South Carolina Constitution to define marriage as only between a man and a woman. His vote was affirmed by the judiciary when, in 2014, federal judges in South Carolina ruled that Amendment was unconstitutional. In 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States made marriage equality the law of the land.

The South Carolina Democratic Primary is June 12, 2018 and SC Equality will be mobilizing the LGBTQ community and allies to vote for James Smith.