PR: NC Values denounces Tillis and Burr’s votes to advance “pathway to polygamy” bill
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2022
Contact: Laura Macklem
[email protected]
NC VALUES COALITION DENOUNCES TILLS’ AND BURR’S VOTES TO ADVANCE “PATHWAY TO POLYGAMY BILL”
Bill Would Federalize Recognition of Same-Sex and Some Polygamous Marriages
The US Senate today advanced HR8404, or “Pathway to Polygamy” bill which federally recognizes same sex marriage and also state-sanctioned polygamous marriages allowing one person to be married to multiple partners. The legislation also fails to protect religious freedoms of churches, tax-exempt entities and businesses.
“This bill redefines marriage between one man and one woman to include same-sex couples, requires federal recognition of some polygamous marriages, and puts freedoms of religious entities at grave risk,” said NC Values Executive Director Tami Fitzgerald. “Voters are tired of sending elected representatives to Washington who betray their values. We need true leaders who stand for truth and their constituents’ values; instead, Senators Tillis and Burr are charting a collision course with their base voters.”
The original version passed by the US House in July, was denounced by the NC Values Coalition and national groups in a letter to Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. The Senate advanced an altered version. However, changes to the bill do not address the underlying problems of threats to marriage and religious freedom, and crafty adjustments were made to mask significant consequences. For instance, the substitute bill still allows traditional polygamous relationships where one person is married individually to multiple people.
This bill acknowledges it may possibly infringe on religious/conscience beliefs but only states that those who had their rights infringed may still invoke existing legal protections, such as the First Amendment or Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Simply put, the bill puts religious freedom in jeopardy, but the solution is to apply existing law in hopes the plaintiff is not subject to a liberal, activist judge.
“Senators Tillis’ and Burr’s votes are an assault on religious freedom, because the bill puts faith-based adoption and foster care agencies, businesses, non-profits and churches all in the line of fire for litigation. Instead of standing up for the religious freedoms of North Carolinians, they chose the side of activists and political expediency. Senator Tillis actually led efforts to secure votes for this legislation, and voters will remember this during his next election,” said Fitzgerald.
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PR: NC Values announces plans to expand influence in school board races across state
NC Values Coalition announced after success of training, equipping and endorsing school board candidates across the state for the first time, it will be expanding its reach into other counties starting in 2023.
“We congratulate all our endorsed candidates who won, and thank all the candidates for having the courage to run,” said NC Values Executive Director Tami Fitzgerald. “School board races have been below voters’ radar for too long. It’s time we elevate those races and ensure we get school board members elected who honor parental rights, protect the innocence of children, and keep politics out of the classroom.”
New Hanover County candidates, Pat Bradford, Peter Wildeboer, Melissa Mason and Josie Barnart swept their election giving these NC Values endorsed conservatives control over their school board. Wing Ng and Cheryl Caulfield replaced two liberal Republicans on Wake County School Board, and Crissy Pratt and Linda Welborn won in Guilford County. Another NC Values candidate, Steve Wood, won in Winston-Salem Forsyth.
NC Values provided two school board candidate trainings, and three Mama Bear Workshops including a Mama Bear Guide to help the public and candidates identify and confront indoctrination in schools. For the first time, NC Values also evaluated school board candidates in select counties along with iVoterGuide, and made endorsements which candidates have reported as impactful.
“We are already looking at 2023 school board races, and determining our target counties,” said Fitzgerald. “NC Values worked hard to help and highlight school board candidates in the General Election, and we will continue to be a resource as we expand our reach across the state.”
PR: NC Values election work influences statewide results and now readies for legislative session
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 10, 2022
Contact: Laura Macklem
[email protected]
NC VALUES COALITION’S ELECTION WORK INFLUENCES STATEWIDE RESULTS AND NOW READIES FOR LEGISLATIVE SESSION
NC Values Coalition expressed enthusiasm regarding the General Election results, as conservatives dominated in North Carolina, sweeping statewide judicial races, securing a supermajority in the Senate and a working super-majority in the House, winning the US Senate seat and keeping Congressional seats.
“We are encouraged the majority of North Carolina voters have sided with conservative values , and we congratulate all those conservative candidates who won their elections, especially Senator-elect Ted Budd,” said NC Values Executive Director Tami Fitzgerald. “NC Values has worked hard vetting and supporting conservative candidates and educating voters about candidate positions, issues and the importance of this election. We look forward to working with incumbents and new legislators on our legislative agenda.”
Sixty-nine of 81 NC Values Coalition endorsed candidates won, not including school board candidates across the state. All six statewide judicial candidates promoted by NC Values won their elections.
“Running for office is a tremendous sacrifice, and we want to thank everyone who ran, and congratulate our endorsed candidates on their victories. We have enjoyed getting to know new candidates during our endorsement process, and we know the fresh perspectives they bring will make this an exciting and productive legislative session,” said Fitzgerald.
NC Values Coalition is a statewide influencer on elections and this cycle launched a statewide get out the vote effort which included targeting pro-life voters across the state with direct mail, publishing articles about the importance of voting and various races, and educating its supporters with endorsements and a myriad of elections communications. NC Values’ sister organization, Institute for Faith & Family, sponsored a digital campaign across the state to motivate pro-life voters to get out and vote. The organization also partners with iVoterGuide to bring voters a reliable resource with information about which candidates share their values, and offers a detailed Voter Toolkit, outlining information about voting and the election.
“NC Values has been paving the way to elect candidates to office who will be leaders on our pro-life, pro-family, and pro-religious freedom values on the state and federal level,” said Fitzgerald. “We are excited about the multitude of victories last night and the opportunities those victories represent. We are fine-tuning our legislative agenda and are ready to make a big impact this legislative session.”
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