The first sitting President in the history of the United States to publicly support full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans.
"I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have
talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of
my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships,
same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think
about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there
fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don't Ask
Don't Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a
marriage, at a certain point I've just concluded that for me personally
it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex
couples should be able to get married."
CONGRESSWOMAN TAMMY BALDWIN (D-WI) FOR U.S. SENATE
The first openly LGBT non-incumbent to win a seat in the House is now seeking to become the first ever openly LGBT person in the Senate. Rated a pure tossup, this race is worth funding in order to
have the strongest and most unapologetic voice for equality in the Senate. Baldwin is unique among members of Congress because she has sponsored or co-sponsored ALL the LGBT equality legislation tracked by our companion site ActOnPrinciples.org.
"It’s time for bold progressive values in the U.S. Senate."
In his first term in Congress, as its fourth openly
LGBT member, Cicilline was very active and is cosponsoring
the Repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, the Employment
Nondiscrimination Act, the Uniting American Families Act, the Student
Nondiscrimination Act, and several other pro-equality bills. Cicilline got just over 50% of the vote in 2010, and this year's election is likely to be just as close against the same opponent.
"Throughout my career, I've found that it is much more difficult for
elected officials to advocate for denying the LGBT community our basic
rights when they are working alongside an openly gay colleague. I
believe that the simple act of electing more LGBT leaders to positions
ranging from City Council to the US Congress can have an important
impact on the advancement of full equality for our community."
CONGRESSWOMAN CAROL SHEA-PORTER (D-NH) FOR U.S. HOUSE
Shea-Porter voted for the Hate Crimes bill and
voted to end Don't Ask, Don't Tell. But she lost re-election in the GOP takeover in 2010 to a Tea
Party supporter and immediately started running a strong campaign to win
back her seat. With only a 27% favorability rating of the incumbent,
and with broad support from her base and from independents with buyer's
remorse, her chances looks good.
"I take the words 'with liberty and justice for all' very seriously. It is a pledge."
Kuster, a Georgetown-educated lawyer and loyal Democratic activist, earned our endorsement 2 years ago and fell just 1% short of beating a popular politician. Her rematch is expected to be just as close, which is why funding this strong pro-equality woman on the Democrat's "Red to Blue 2012" list is so important to advancing LGBT equality.
"I was a proud advocate for New Hampshire's marriage equality bill and our national leadership on the issue. I look forward to standing up for fairness and equality in Congress."
As a native in this newly created Southern California Congressional District that has a net 7% Democratic registry,
Takano, who is openly gay, is on the Democrat's "Red to Blue 2012" list. In a
prior election, Takano
outperformed President Clinton, Senator
Boxer, and Senator Feinstein at the polls.
"America began as an imperfect union in which ideas of freedom and
equality applied to one gender and one race. Let us evolve already into
the nation we should be. ENDA, yes; Out in Uniform, yes; Marriage
Equality, yes; Respect, yes; Dignity, yes; LGBT equality, yes."
Attempting to become Minnesota's first openly LGBT
person in Congress, Anderson has what it takes to win back a long-held
Democratic seat lost to the GOP in 2010: a local presence, experience,
name recognition, youthful vitality, and integrity. A three way primary
is his first hurdle before taking on the GOP incumbent in a Democratic
district where Senator Klobuchar and President Obama are expected to
have long coat tails.
"I am proud of my work in Northern Minnesota promoting equality for
all people and want to take this record of accomplishments to the Unites
States House of Representatives."
This Emergency Room doctor may be an unconventional and frequent candidate, but data have shown that the incumbent he is trying to defeat is "the most vulnerable incumbent in Congress." This is because the newly drawn district he is in has now become a Democratic district in a state that should have huge coattails for Obama. He is a very strong pro-equality candidate, is one of the Democrat's "Red to Blue" candidates, and faces an anti-gay rights incumbent.
"I have stood along side my many friends in the LGBT community my entire life, and I look forward to standing up for them every day in the halls of Congress."
Not to be confused with former Congressman and Equality Hero Patrick Murphy of
Pennsylvania, who was an eQualityGiving endorsed candidate in 2010, this
Murphy is a young businessman with a CPA. He considers himself fiscally
conservative and socially liberal, and is one of the top two non-incumbent
fundraisers for a House seat in the nation, having been funded by the
likes of Charlie Crist, Donna Shalala and Ron Ansin. Murphy is running against the well-funded Tea Party hero, Allen West, in what is likely to be the most expensive House
race in the nation.
"I believe that equality for the LGBT community is the civil rights
priority of our time. If elected, I will not accept half measures. I
will openly support gay marriage and will be a champion for gay rights
in Congress.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND MAYOR LOIS FRANKEL (D-FL) FOR U.S. HOUSE
As one of the top two non-incumbent fundraisers in the country, Frankel
is running in an open seat which has been flipping red to blue to red
the past few years. She makes no excuses for her lifetime support of
LGBT equality and has fought vigorously (even physically, as a child) to
protect those who were victims of bullying.
"I steadfastly believe that every individual, regardless of sexual
orientation, gender identity or expression, should be granted equal
rights and just protection under our laws. As a member of Congress, I
will support an omnibus equality bill as an important and necessary step
to achieving complete equality for LGBT citizens."
STATE REPRESENTATIVE KEITH FITZGERALD (D-FL) FOR U.S. HOUSE
Picked as one of the Democrat's "Red to Blue 2012" candidates, due to the real chance of this popular State Rep to win against an anti-equality and corruption-laced incumbent, Fitzgerald has a commitment to equality that is as firm and as passionate as it could be.
"Each generation has a duty to expand the cause of human dignity and to advance it by the rule of law. LGBT issues represent this generation's challenge. I will fight for them with vigor when elected to Congress."
A young lawyer with experience as an aide to Congressmembers Clay
Shaw, a Republican, and Stephen Lynch, a Democrat, Ehrlich is running
against "incumbent" Bill Young in a redrawn district that voted 53% for
Obama and where 55% of voters are women. Already on Emily's
List and endorsed by the New Democrat Coalition, her race has drawn attention from
the DCCC, who is committed to helping with TV ads in the Tampa area to
help Democrats win against vulnerable Republicans.
"We must end
the despicable practice of discrimination in the workplace, and we must
provide a strong system of support for loving couples and families. By
stripping away institutionalized systems of intolerance, we can build a
brighter future for our youth and all Americans."
STATE REPRESENTATIVE MATT HEINZ (D-AZ) FOR U.S. HOUSE
Currently in his second term in the Arizona Statehouse, this openly gay
physician seeks the seat once held by openly gay Representative Jim
Kolbe and recently vacated by Gabrielle Giffords, who was twice endorsed
by us in the past. Dr Heinz is running in the November election (not in
the special election in April) for the newly drawn district, which is
more Democratic than the current one, and where there is no clear front
runner.
“I will tirelessly advocate in Congress for the inalienable rights of
our Community – and for all Americans. It is with your generous
support that I will be able to step up our struggle for equality and
bring us closer to the day that America is truly one Nation,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
STATE REPRESENTATIVE MARK POCAN (D-WI) FOR U.S. HOUSE
An openly gay man who currently holds the Wisconsin
State Rep. seat that Tammy Baldwin once held is now aiming to be her
replacement in Congress. Pocan is succeeding in
fundraising and has name recognition due to his impressive record during
his
18 years in the Wisconsin legislature. A Pocan victory here would ease
the
concern many have that the House will be without Baldwin, who has
resigned to run for Senate. He is co-endorsed along with Dave Worzala
until the primary in August.
"In my public services, I shepherded legislation to create a domestic
partner registry, created domestic partnership benefits for state
employees, and increased funding for HIV/AIDS resource organizations as
well as funds to help LGBT youth. I'm happy to say I married my partner
Phil in 2006."
The former popular three-term mayor of Albuquerque, State Senator and Gubernatorial Nominee is a strong candidate to win this very competitive open seat. His support from Congressman Cicilline, among others, is due to all his pro-equality work. He is co-endorsed along with Eric Griego and Michelle Lujan Grisham until the primary in June.
"I'm proud to have been a leader on these issues before it was popular and have been picketed by conservative ministers for embracing the LGBTQ community."
With a proven record of
supporting LGBT equality as an Albuquerque City Councilman and then as a
State Senator in New Mexico, Griego worked passionately to pass a Domestic
Partner Bill and defeat a state Defense of Marriage Act. He is co-endorsed along with Michelle Lujan
Grisham and Marty Chavez until the primary in June.
"Now, more than ever, it is important to send leaders to Washington
who have been unwavering in their support for LGBT issues and who will
be strong advocates for the LGBT community. I have been consistent in my
support for full LGBT equality and will continue to fight for what is
fair for all Americans in the United States House of Representatives."
COUNTY COMMISSIONER MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM (D-NM) FOR U.S. HOUSE
In a race that is expected to be neck and neck for both the primary and the general, Lujan Grisham has high favorability ratings and is a strong, progressive candidate that has proven ability to work both sides of the aisle. Her pro-equality positions are firm. She is co-endorsed along with Marty Chavez and Eric Griego until the primary in June.
"I support legal equality and will stand for the protection of the same basic human rights for all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
A best selling author, a former speechwriter for President Clinton, a nationally-recognized economic policy expert, and a bonafide pro-equality progressive, Cherny
has been called a “superstar” by CNN, a “progressive reformer” by
Washington Monthly, and one of America’s “top young thinkers” by the New
York Times. His Jewish immigrant heritage makes him an unlikely
frontrunner in a newly drawn Arizona district. He is co-endorsed along
with Kyrsten Sinema until the primary in August.
"For more than 15 years of work in the public policy arena and
government, I have been at the forefront of the fight for LGBT rights
and equality. I will carry that person commitment and track record to
Congress."
STATE SENATOR KYRSTEN SINEMA (D-AZ) FOR U.S. HOUSE
Her work as chair of Arizona Together led to the
first and only defeat of an anti-gay marriage amendment, and this led to
her development of a Movement Messaging Toolkit which helps LGBT
advocates better communicate with voters. Running in a new district with
no incumbent or clear front runner for either the primary or the
general, Sinema is garnering support based on her successes in the
Arizona House and Senate. She is co-endorsed along with Andrei Cherny until the primary in August.
"With your help, I hope to become the nation's first openly bisexual
member of Congress and stand up for the forgotten middle class and
powerless in our society ."
PENDING ENDORSEMENTS:
Former CONGRESSMAN ALAN GRAYSON - for election in a newly drawn Congressional district, Florida
ELIZABETH WARREN - for election to the US Senate, Massachusetts
STATE SENATOR MAJORITY LEADER ROB GARAGIOLA - for election in a newly drawn Congressional District, Maryland
MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION
For statewide races, the maximum you can donate depends on the state. For candidates to Congress and President, the maximum total that you can give to federal candidates in 2011-2012 is
$46,200 ($2,500 to individual candidates). This is why it is critical
to focus your giving on candidates that are pro-equality before giving
to candidates that may not be 100% on our issues.
These
candidates up for election in 2012 deserve to be endorsed since they
are pro-equality, but funding their campaigns is not as strategic
because they are not in a competitive race (either they consistently
poll ahead of or behind their opponent(s) by more than 10 points). Should any eQualityGiving Hero or other endorsed candidate find themselves in close races, they will be listed as an Endorsed
Candidate to Fund, and an alert will be sent to inform the donors.
These Endorsed Candidates are pro-equality incumbents and are expected to win re-election handily:
GOVERNOR PETE SHUMLIN - Vermont
SENATOR KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND - New York
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS - Vermont
SENATOR DIANE FEINSTEIN - California
DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY LEADER NANCY PELOSI - California
CONGRESSMAN EARL BLUMENAUER - Oregon
CONGRESSMAN KEITH ELLISON - Minnesota
CONGRESSMAN JOHN GARAMENDI - California
CONGRESSMAN ALCEE HASTINGS - Florida
CONGRESSMAN RUSH HOLT - New Jersey
CONGRESSMAN JESSE JACKSON JR. - Illinois
CONGRESSWOMAN BARBARA LEE - California
CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS - Georgia
CONGRESSWOMAN CAROLYN MALONEY - New York
CONGRESSMAN JIM MCGOVERN - Massachusetts
CONGRESSWOMAN GWEN MOORE - Wisconsin
CONGRESSMAN JIM MORAN - Virginia
CONGRESSMAN JERROLD NADLER - New York
CONGRESSWOMAN CHELLIE PINGREE - Maine
CONGRESSMAN JARED POLIS - Colorado
CONGRESSWOMAN LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD - California
DELEGATE ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON - District of Columbia
OTHERS TO BE ADDED LATER
These Endorsed Candidates are pro-equality but not in close races and are expected to either win or lose by a wide margin:
LIST BEING COMPILED
If you have given to one of these Endorsed Candidates, please post your reasons why in the Giving For Equality Blog. A few sentences about your motivation and strategy will be very compelling for other donors.
Keep up to date on how to reach legal equality faster by signing for our spam-free eQuality alerts. Even better, register to have access to confidential information on this website (benefits of registration). Registration is free, and your information is not given to anyone.
Mr Wall's comments regarding the current endorsed candidates are appreciated. Many of these races are very fluid, and it is often tough to measure a candidate's chances of winning re-election this early in the election cycle.
Some of the races he pointed out have candidates that are in the process of earning our endorsement. This requires a careful evaluation with a questionnaire, an interview, and an analysis of the candidates prospects of winning. eQualityGiving is in the process of producing the next set of endorsed candidates, and the updated list is likely to reflect several of Mr. Wall's suggestions.
Your list of endorsed candidates Pro Equality Candidaes expecting easy re-elections in 2012 is dated and flawed.
David Cicciline of Rhode Island is not a safe bet for re-election at this point. I would rate him no better than 50 -50 at this point in fact. Voters blame him for Providence fiscal troubles (he is former Mayor). Cicciline is likely to face a serious primary challenge (rematch with Anthony Gemma?). And the Republicans are offering a serious pair of opponents for the general election. To claim Cicilline is expected to handily win re-election defies the facts quite frankly.
Two on your list are retiring: John Olver and Barney Frank of Massachusetts. Frank just retired yesterday of course, but Olver retired a couple weeks back at this point.
Alcee Hastings of Florida is another on the list who faces big hurdles. First he is under an ethics investigation (sexual harassment claim) in the House. Plus, the recently released first draft of the new Florida House districts puts incumbents Hastings and David Rivera (R-also very corrupt) in the same district. There is rarely a safe incumbent when facing another incumbemt.
Jesse Jackson Jr. faces a significant primary challenge from former Rep. Debbie Halvorson in a new district that now stretches to the Wisconsin border and is more racially balanced than Jackson has represented to date. Jackson is still favored to survive a primary at this time, but to say he is expected to win handily again falls short of the electoral reality of a serious primary challenge.
Dennis Kucinich. Kucinich has announced for the newly drawn Ohio 9th and faces a huge primary battle with the more Senior Democrat Marcy Katpur in a primary. Not only is Kucinich not expected to win election handily, Katpur is considered by most the favorite to win the Democratic primary in the new Ohio 9th.
It is hard to have confidence in a site that is not accurately portraying House races to potential donors.
