Longtime Republican strategist Mary Matalin’s fight for the humane treatment of farm animals and monkeys has won her PETA’s “Person of the Year” award.
“We have learned to count on Mary Matalin to speak out against cruel policies that waste taxpayer dollars, harm animals, and cost them their lives,” said PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA is recognizing her for setting a tremendous example of compassion that all Americans can follow.”
Matalin’s ties to the Republican party and conservatives has helped PETA expand its awareness campaign against tests on monkeys and bills barring cameras from recording farm animals.
In a famous ad, Matalin helped to fight the so-called “Ag Gag” bills in states.
“You may be wondering what a meat-eating conservative Republican like me is doing in a PETA video,” said Matalin in an ad targeting voters considering the legislation.
“[Y]ou have before you a bill that would criminalize filming on factory farms and in slaughterhouses. My husband James and I may be polar opposites on most political issues, but on this one, we’re together. We are asking you to please vote against these ‘ag-gag’ bills,” she added.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
