Washington, DC – Today, Equality PAC Co-Chairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-CA) and Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) announced the endorsement of Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia for California’s 42nd Congressional District. Garcia is running to succeed Congressman Alan Lowenthal, who is retiring at the end of the 117th Congress. If elected, Garcia will be the first openly LGBTQ immigrant elected to Congress, the first openly LGBTQ Peruvian American elected to Congress, and will join Congressman David Cicilline as only the second openly LGBTQ mayor to ever serve in Congress.
“Congress needs strong, positive, diverse and progressive voices like Robert Garcia that will always fight for LGBTQ rights and for passage of the Equality Act,” said Equality PAC Co-Chair Chairman Mark Takano. “During his time as Mayor of Long Beach, I have been able to witness everything Robert has done to represent the LGBTQ community, advocate for our veterans, and protect working families. I am thrilled to endorse his campaign for Congress and with the support of Equality PAC, I am confident Robert will win in November.”
“Mayor Garcia has a proven track record of leadership on progressive issues that our community deeply cares about — and, as a mayor, he knows how to roll up his sleeves and get things done for the people he was elected to represent,” said Equality PAC Co-Chair Congressman David Cicilline. “As Mayor of Long Beach, Robert fought to increase protections for LGBTQ residents, while also advocating the rights of workers, pushing for a fair education system, and safeguarding the environment. As a former mayor, I know that mayors are some of the most trusted local representatives and for that reason — and so many more — we need Robert in Congress. His story is one of a fighter and a history-maker, and we are proud Equality PAC will be adding our endorsement behind him in his run for Congress.”
“Equality PAC has helped to change the American political landscape serving as a leading voice for advancing LGBTQ rights and a powerhouse in electing LGBTQ individuals to Congress, and I am honored to have earned their endorsement,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “With the support of Equality PAC, their supporters, and their network, I will win this race — and I will be a strong voice for increased LGBTQ protections across the United States. I look forward to the hard work ahead as I continue to meet the voters of the 42nd Congressional District and earn their support with Equality PAC by my side.”
Brought to America by his mother, Robert immigrated to the United States when he was just 5 years old. He says becoming a citizen is his proudest moment, and it’s the reason he went into public service. Robert is most widely known for his tenure as Long Beach Mayor and his leadership of the city during the worst of the pandemic. After losing both his mom, a health care worker, and stepfather to COVID-19, Robert vowed to work as hard as he could to ensure other families wouldn’t experience the same pain. He threw himself into expanding Long Beach’s mobile testing and vaccination efforts — programs which went on to receive national recognition from health experts and praise from the White House and Governor Gavin Newsom.
As mayor, he has been a strong supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and has strengthened protections for the LGBTQ+ folks by establishing trans-inclusive health care coverage in the city, increased access to STD checks and treatments, and facilitated a more welcoming community citywide. Long Beach has received a perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign for inclusive cities every year Robert has served as mayor. Mayor Garcia also oversaw a period of unprecedented economic growth and expansion of opportunity for city residents in his city. Robert worked to launch programs like tuition-free community college, a universal basic income pilot program and a pandemic recovery package to ensure every Long Beach resident could share in the city’s success.
Equality PAC is the political arm of the Congressional LGBTQ Equality Caucus and is dedicated to the full legal and societal equality for LGBTQ Americans. All funds raised into Equality PAC are spent supporting and electing openly LGBTQ individuals and strong LGBTQ allies to the United States Congress who are committed to passing the Equality ACT and to ensuring full civil rights and protections for all LGBTQ Americans.
To learn more about Robert Garcia and his campaign, please visit his website here. ###
