Sen. Hirono Dismisses Rep. Gabbard: I Want Someone With ‘Long Record of Supporting Progressive Goals’

Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) was asked about her thoughts about Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s (D-HI) announcement last week that she will run for president in 2020 on Monday.

“Senator, I also wanted to ask you about the 2020 primary. Your fellow Hawaiian legislator Tulsi Gabbard has made clear she will run in 2020, but she’s run into trouble over past opposition to LGBT rights as well as with her ties to Assad. Do you think you could support Congresswoman Gabbard in her bid in 2020?” asked MSNBC’s Kasie Hunt.

“I’m going to be looking for someone who has a long record of supporting progressive goals and ideals, and I certainly wish all of our candidates the best because it is going to be a long, hard race, and so I wish everyone well, but for myself in these times of what I would call not normal times, I want someone who has very much been on the page in terms of supporting equal opportunity, choice, all of the kinds of issues that I’ve been fighting for decades,” Hirono replied.

Hunt then said it appears Hirono will not support Gabbard.

“Well I wish her well though,” Hirono stated. “As I do all the other candidates.”

Gabbard, who is now a strong supporter of LGBT rights, once worked at her father’s anti-gay organization, according to CNN.
“First, let me say I regret the positions I took in the past, and the things I said. I’m grateful for those in the LGBTQ+ community who have shared their aloha with me throughout my personal journey,” she said in a statement to CNN.

Pointing to her past six years in Congress to help LBGT Americans, she added, “Much work remains to ensure equality and civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ Americans and if elected President, I will continue to fight for equal rights for all.”

Watch above via MSNBC.

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