FROM:HRC
Bush and Kerry on GLBT Issues


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HRC LAUNCHES AD SPOTLIGHTING MEL MARTINEZ’S OPPOSITION TO HATE CRIMES LEGISLATION
‘Attempts to divide Americans for political purposes are mean-spirited and will not succeed,’ said HRC President Cheryl Jacques.


WASHINGTON — The Human Rights Campaign political action committee launched a $250,000 independent expenditure campaign yesterday on Florida radio stations highlighting Mel Martinez’s opposition to a federal hate crimes law, which seeks to add sexual orientation, gender and disability to existing hate crime statutes.

During his primary race, Martinez’s outspoken opposition to the bipartisan legislation, which has been endorsed by more than 300 law enforcement officials, cost him the endorsement of the St. Petersburg Times , which called his campaign “embarrassing” and “unprincipled.” Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, a Republican, also rebuked Martinez for the remarks and asked him to pull the ads.