First in Punchbowl News: The Equality PAC is providing a significant boost to LGBTQ congressional candidates across the country, raising over $20 million to help Democrats in close races.
The PAC, co-chaired by Reps. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), is expecting historic gains this cycle in their effort to elect and reelect LGBTQ candidates, which include 15 incumbents and challengers. Those wins could potentially make for the greatest number of openly LGBTQ members ever to serve in Congress next year.
“We’re electing LGBTQ trailblazers from places like Kansas and Texas and from the very states and counties where LGBTQ representation is least expected,” Torres told us. “That to me is the true value of representation.”
The House is poised to welcome at least a few new LGBTQ members next year, greatly expanding the community’s representation in Congress. We recently wrote about the record number of LGBTQ women running this cycle.
The Equality PAC gave Texas state Rep. Julie Johnson $610,000 for her campaign in the open 32nd District seat, Washington state Sen. Emily Randall $983,000 in the 6th District and Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride $365,000. They also gave $1.2 million to Evan Low, who is running in an open California seat (16th District), $375,000 to Mondaire Jones, who is challenging Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) in a competitive race and $630,000 to Will Rollins. Rollins is running against Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) in the close 41st District race.
For incumbents, the Equality PAC funneled $190,000 to Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), $162,000 to Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.) and $171,000 to Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.). They also gave $178,000 to Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), who is facing an increasingly competitive challenge against Republican Eric Hovde.
While the PAC can endorse Republicans, it has traditionally supported Democrats.
Legislative agenda: Takano and Torres both noted passage of the Equality Act as the number one priority for them if Democrats take control of the House. The bill would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to expand protections for LGBTQ individuals.
Takano, the top Democrat on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, added that he wants to upgrade discharges and increase access to benefits for LGBTQ veterans affected by “don’t ask, don’t tell.”
Additionally, the California Democrat said he wants Congress to focus on a foreign policy agenda that enhances LGBTQ rights around the world.
“We continue to be concerned about LGBTQ rights globally,” Takano told us.
Meanwhile, Republicans have targeted Democrats in tough seats this cycle with anti-transgender ads. House Republicans have also pushed a series of anti-LGBTQ riders in must-pass legislation this Congress.
