She has spearheaded major public-private partnerships, successfully brokered support for educational programs and work-force development, and, using her business background, led the charge to bring more useful data to legislative decision-making. Since assuming the office-her first elected position-in January 2015, Smith has worked with Governor Mark Dayton to redefine and reinvigorate the role. Historically, many lieutenant governors and vice presidents have been left sitting on the sidelines. Later, sheвЂ™ll travel back to Minneapolis, speak at a conference for state employees, and meet with a representative from the Minnesota Vikings to discuss the stadium they are building as a public-private partnership-a project that has generated an estimated $900 million in economic activity on the underdeveloped, but now booming, eastern edge of Minneapolis. вЂњWeвЂ™re all still trying to figure out what all it takes to load a log, but weвЂ™ll see about that,вЂќ she says with her characteristically warm laugh. SheвЂ™s en route to Bemidji, Minnesota, a northern fishing and forestry town, where sheвЂ™ll talk to workers and compete in a log-loading contest. on a Friday in September, and Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith TвЂ™84 is already moving at a blistering pace. Senator Tina Smith T'84 was sworn into office on January 3, 2018. Angie Craig.Essentially what happened over the course of my career was my vocation in strategy and marketing traded places with my avocation, which was community service.Д®ditor's note: U.S. In a move of poetic justice, Lewis was ousted by LGBTQ mother, HRC-endorsed now-Rep. He also alleged that same-sex parents were potentially harming their children by identifying as LGBTQ. He compared LGBTQ people to rapists, criminals, and polygamists. Jason Lewis spewed horrifically anti-LGBTQ extremist language and opinions. But his time before he entered Congress is even more troubling. Jason Lewis never earned more than a 0 on HRCвЂ™s Congressional Scorecard. Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and I look forward to continuing to work with the Human Rights Campaign to pass these critical protections for LGBTQ+ Americans.вЂќ вЂњCongress must pass the Equality Act and ensure that LGBTQ+ Americans are protected in the workplace, in school, at home or wherever they are in the public sphere. вЂњIвЂ™m proud to work alongside the Human Rights Campaign вЂ“ a leader in the continued fight for LGBTQ+ equality - and honored to have their support,вЂќ said Senator Tina Smith.

Senate to continue our work moving equality forward for all Americans.вЂќ The Human Rights Campaign is committed to mobilizing the more than 600,000 Equality Voters across Minnesota to send Tina Smith back to the U.S. вЂњFrom co-sponsoring the Equality Act to pushing for marriage equality in Minnesota, Senator SmithвЂ™s long history of support for LGBTQ families stands in stark contrast with Jason Lewis, who compared LGBTQ people to rapists and criminals. вЂњSenator Tina Smith has been one of our community's most ardent advocates in the United States Senate, and weвЂ™re proud to stand by her side as she runs for reelection,вЂќ said HRC President Alphonso David. In Minnesota, HRC has identified more than 600,000 voters as likely вЂњEquality Voters,вЂќ meaning they are strong supporters of progressive LGBTQ policies including marriage equality, equitable family law, and laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Prior to joining the Senate, Smith was integral in the push for statewide marriage equality in 2013 and helped pass anti-bullying legislation. Just one week after joining the Senate in 2018, Smith signed on as a co-sponsor of the Equality Act, crucial federal legislation that would finally guarantee explicit, permanent protections for LGBTQ people under our nation's existing civil rights laws. Tina Smith has been a steadfast ally for the LGBTQ community throughout her history in public service. Jason Lewis from bringing his harmful views to the Senate. Smith and preventing known anti-LGBTQ extremist Rep. This endorsement marks HRCвЂ™s first Senate endorsement of the 2020 cycle and underscores both the importance of reelecting Sen.

Tina smith