The state’s largest LGBT advocacy group is calling for U.S. Senate candidate Bob Hugin to stake his position on Mike Pompeo, President Donald Trump’s nominee to replace former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
Hugin, whose campaign again declined to comment on the matter Tuesday, has been notably silent on the issue. Both of New Jersey’s sitting senators, Sens. Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, have said they will vote not to confirm the former Kansas congressman.
Christian Fuscarino, Executive Director Garden State Equality, said in a statement that Hugin’s continued silence on the issue marks tacit support for Pompeo, who he co-sponsored multiple bills that would limit the rights of gay couples during his time in the House and opposed the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
“Hugin’s apprehension to vocalize opposition can almost certainly be interpreted as support for this disastrous appointment,” Fuscarino said in the statement. “New Jerseyans deserve to know what we can expect from the candidates we vote to represent us, and Bob Hugin’s lack of transparency is raising red flags for our citizens.”
The group is the latest in a growing stable of advocates and officials to call for Hugin to say where he stands on the nominee, who currently serves as director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
Previously, a group of the state’s Muslim elected officials called for Hugin to say where he stands on the issue, and yesterday, a group of the state’s LGBTQ officials made a similar call.
“As the Trump administration attempts to add yet another harmful appointment to its cabinet, we need our United States Senate members to be clear whether they support or oppose openly anti-LGBT nominees, like Mike Pompeo,” Fuscarino said in the statement.