Human Rights Campaign Endorses a Slate of Pro-Equality Members and Candidates Up for Election in Key Competitive U.S. House Districts

by HRC Staff

HRC flag with blue background and yellow equal sign flies in front of U.S. Capitol

As the LGBTQ+ Community Continues to Face Targeted Attacks at Both a State and Federal Level, HRC Announces Dozens of Endorsements, Including Frontline Members, Leadership and Openly LGBTQ+ Members, as Part of a Crucial Effort to Retake the House and Fight for LGBTQ+ Equality

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, the Human Rights Campaign PAC (HRC PAC) announced its endorsement of more than 40 pro-equality candidates for election in key competitive U.S. House districts, in House leadership and openly LGBTQ+ Members of Congress. By winning these races and returning the House to a pro-equality majority, we can halt the weaponization of the federal government against our community, hold MAGA leaders accountable for the harm they’ve caused, and begin to advance an agenda that supports the rights and freedoms of all. 

Powered by 4 million members and supporters and one of the fastest-growing voting blocs in the country (LGBTQ+ voters are poised to make up at least 10% of the midterm electorate), the Human Rights Campaign PAC is organizing to win—focusing our efforts where they matter most, building LGBTQ+ political power, and equipping communities to counter disinformation and turn out the vote. Through our $15 million midterm “Let’s Get Free” program, HRC PAC is committed to mobilizing our volunteers, members, and supporters to turn out the more than 74 million Equality Voters nationwide in support of pro-equality candidates up and down the ballot.

Our community is facing an all-out assault on our rights, and it’s coming from a Congressional majority bowing to Trump and his MAGA followers. They’re trying to strip away our freedoms and push us back into the closet while doing nothing to meet the urgent needs of the American people. Our path to victory is going to be paved by our community and our supporters showing up at the polls and making our voices heard this fall.  That’s why we are so proud to endorse this experienced slate of pro-equality champions who are ready to fight for our rights, our dignity, and our freedoms. Together, we can build a pro-equality majority in the House of Representatives, protect our democracy, and fight for the freedom every person deserves.

Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign

HRC’s Commitment to Voter Mobilization Efforts

HRC this spring launched a public education and engagement campaign, “Let’s Get Free,'' to reach 74 million Equality Voters, those who prioritize issues of equality when deciding who to vote for, nationwide.

Equality Voters are younger, more racially diverse, and more female than the general electorate, they recognize and trust the HRC brand, and they are more likely to identify with issue-specific organizations than candidates or political parties.

HRC’s efforts are bolstered by new polling data conducted by Community Insights, a program of the HRC Foundation, showing that LGBTQ+ voters, in the midst of a torrent of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, policy attacks, and electoral scapegoating, will be a crucial base of support for pro-equality candidates—and are already mobilized and engaged. 92% of LGBTQ+ voters, who could make up close to 10% of the midterm electorate, say that they “definitely will vote” in November, compared to 68% of non-LGBTQ+ voters.

Today’s Endorsements for the House of Representatives Include:

Pro-Equality Incumbents in Battleground Reelection Races: 

  • AL-2: Shomari Figures
  • CA-45: Derek Tran
  • CT-5: Jahana Hayes
  • FL-9: Darren Soto
  • FL-14: Kathy Castor
  • FL-25: Jared Moskowitz
  • IN-1: Frank Mrvan
  • MI-8: Kristen McDonald Rivet
  • NV-1: Dina Titus
  • NV-3: Susie Lee
  • NV-4: Steven Horsford
  • NJ-9: Nellie Pou
  • NM-2: Gabe Vasquez
  • NY-3: Tom Suozzi
  • NY-19: Josh Riley
  • OH-1 Greg Landsman
  • OH-13: Emilia Sykes
  • OR-5: Janelle Bynum

Pro-Equality Candidates Ready to Flip Seats in Battleground Districts: 

  • AZ-2: Jonathan Nez 
  • AZ-6: JoAnna Mendoza
  • CO-5: Jessica Killin
  • IA-1: Christina Bohannan
  • IA-3: Sarah Trone Garriott
  • MI-4: Sean McCann 
  • NE-2: Denise Powell
  • PA-8: Paige Cognetti 
  • PA-10: Janelle Stelson
  • VA-2: Elaine Luria
  • WI-3: Rebecca Cooke

Pro-Equality House Leadership: 

  • CA-33: Pete Aguilar
  • MA-5: Katherine Clark
  • NY-8: Hakeem Jeffries

Openly LGBTQ+ Members: 

  • CA-39: Robert Garcia
  • CA-42 Mark Takano
  • DE-At-Large: Sarah McBride
  • IL-17: Eric Sorensen
  • KS-3: Sharice Davids 
  • NY-15: Ritchie Torres
  • VT-At-Large: Becca Balint
  • WA-6: Emily Randall
  • WI-2 Mark Pocan

Paid for by Human Rights Campaign PAC (www.hrc.org).

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To make a general inquiry, please visit our contact page. Members of the media can reach our press office at: (202) 572-8968 or email press@hrc.org.

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Elections