Washington, DC – Today, Equality PAC Co-Chairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-CA) and Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) announced the endorsement of Vermont State Senate President Pro Tem Becca Balint for Vermont’s At-Large seat in Congress. Balint is running to succeed Congressman Peter Welch, who is running to replace Senator Patrick Leahy. Leahy is retiring at the end of the 117th Congress. If elected, Balint would be the first woman ever elected to federal office from Vermont and the first openly LGBTQ Member of Congress ever elected from Vermont.
“Becca’s time in the Vermont State Senate has proven that she is an effective progressive leader that delivers results for the hardworking people of Vermont,” said Equality PAC Co-Chair Chairman Mark Takano. “Becca is a strong supporter of investing in affordable housing, raising wages for workers, protecting access to reproductive rights, and ensuring that all LGBTQ people are treated equally. This election, Vermonters have the chance to make history by electing the first woman to federal office from the state. Becca is the right candidate and the right woman to make history in this crucial election.”
“Across the country, LGBTQ rights are under attack by Republicans at both the federal and state level,” said Equality PAC Co-Chair Congressman David Cicilline. “If we are to have any chance of successfully defending equal rights for LGBTQ Americans and getting the Equality Act signed into law, we need Becca’s leadership in Congress to help make that a reality. There is no other candidate running that has been stronger on protecting LGBTQ rights or defending and advancing progressive values than Becca Balint. We are proud to enthusiastically support her campaign for Congress.”
“I am so grateful to have Equality PAC on our side,” said Becca Balint, Democratic candidate for Congress. “Congressman Cicilline and Chairman Takano have been trailblazers in the movement for LGBTQ equality. I have watched with inspiration as they guided the Equality Act through the House, and as they continue to change the face of our government. Equality PAC knows that in order to usher the Equality Act into law, and continue to deliver on our shared priorities, we need to elect LGBTQ champions to Congress. In Vermont, we have the opportunity to do just that. Through courage, kindness, and authentic leadership, we will create a world that is safer, more inclusive, and more just.”
Becca Balint is a teacher, mother, activist, and elected official who believes that, even with the challenges of today, we cannot back away from fighting for each other. Becca was first elected to the Vermont State Senate in 2014, later becoming Senate Majority leader and now, the first woman and first openly LGBTQ person to serve as President Pro Tempore. In the State Senate, Becca has led the charge to invest in affordable housing, raise the minimum wage, secure paid family leave, enshrine reproductive freedom into our state’s constitution, and so much more. She is running in the August 9, 2022 primary for Congress to deliver on Medicare for All, a Green New Deal, and racial, economic, and housing justice.
Equality PAC is the political arm of the Congressional LGBTQ Equality Caucus and is dedicated to 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 Becca Balint and her campaign, please visit his website here.
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