Human Rights Campaign PAC Endorses Pro-Equality Champion Marni von Wilpert for U.S. House

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) PAC — the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization — proudly endorsed out LGBTQ+ leader Marni von Wilpert for U.S. House in California’s 48th District.

Raised in San Diego, von Wilpert has served on the San Diego City Council since 2020, leading on a number of initiatives that have improved life in the city, including co-authoring the city’s Reproductive Freedom Resolution and working on measures designed to help the homeless and combat climate change.

“Marni von Wilpert is exactly the kind of leader we need in Congress, and she has the track record to prove it,” said Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson. “San Diegans already know that she lives up to her promises and will fairly and fully represent all her constituents’ needs. And as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, she’ll be another standard-bearer in the fight for equality. This seat is a key target to build a pro-equality majority in the House of Representatives, and HRC is proud to do everything in our power to send Marni von Wilpert to Washington.”

“I'm honored to have the endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign in our fight to take back Congress and protect equality,” said Councilmember von Wilpert. “As Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans in Washington threaten the rights of LGBTQ+ people across the country, we need proven fighters who will stand up for equality. I've spent my career doing exactly that — as a civil rights lawyer in the Deep South protecting people with HIV and AIDS from discrimination, and as a City Councilmember restoring access to LGBTQ+ books in San Diego libraries. I've never backed down from fighting for our community, and I'll continue that work in Congress to build on the progress we've made.”

Among von Wilpert’s key priorities upon winning election are defending LGBTQ+ rights, guaranteeing reproductive freedom, and holding entities like ICE accountable for human rights abuses.

An Opponent With an Anti-LGBTQ+ Track Record

Jim Desmond, the Republican nominee who’s been endorsed by Donald Trump, has a record of opposing LGBTQ+ rights during his time as San Diego Supervisor. He supported MAGA’s “One Big Beautiful Bill”, which was projected to kick more than 2.2 million Californians off of their health insurance. He supported a Congressional effort to ban transgender youth from sports, and he has also spoken against trans youth using locker rooms and restrooms that align with their gender identity.

HRC’s Commitment to California

Equality Voters — including the more than 10 million in California — are a powerful and diverse voting bloc united by support for LGBTQ+ equality. Equality Voters are younger, more racially diverse, and more female than the general electorate, and they recognize and trust the HRC brand. HRC PAC has made significant investments in California over the years, working to elect pro-equality champions up and down the ballot. Today, HRC PAC continues to build on this legacy by mobilizing Equality Voters and supporting leaders, like Marni von Wilpert, who are committed to ensuring every Californian can live free from discrimination and with full dignity under the law.

Paid for by Human Rights Campaign PAC, www.hrc.org, and authorized by Marni von Wilpert for Congress