Washington, DC – Today, Equality PAC Co-Chair Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) announced the endorsement of former federal prosecutor Will Rollins for California’s redrawn 41st Congressional District. Rollins is challenging Republican incumbent Rep. Ken Calvert, who – for decades – has attacked the LGBTQ community and its leaders and has a strong anti-LGBTQ voting record. Calvert also voted to overturn the results of the 2020 Presidential Election. Calvert’s seat was redrawn to be one of the most competitive seats in California and it is a top national pick-up opportunity as we fight to defend our fragile Democratic House Majority in the 2022 midterms.
“At this moment in our country’s history, Congress needs representatives with a proven track record of fighting for our institutions, the rule of law, LGBTQ rights, and our national security,” said Equality PAC Co-Chair Congressman David Cicilline. “California’s redistricting has created an historic opportunity to flip CA41 from red to blue. Will has devoted his career to serving our country, and he’s been on the front lines in the fight against extremism. He has the drive and character to beat Ken Calvert and finally give the people of the 41st district the representation they deserve. When he is elected, I know that he’ll continue to stand up for the Constitution, equality, and our democracy.”
“I could not be prouder to have the support of Equality PAC, and to build on the work that so many LGBTQ leaders have done throughout our history to make candidacies like mine possible,” said former federal prosecutor Will Rollins. “Riverside County needs a representative who will join Congressman Takano in actually delivering for the people who live here by lowering costs on working families, improving access to health care, and combating the devastating effects of climate change on our communities. We also need someone who will step up with specific plans to end the toxic divisions that are threatening our democracy, rather than exploit them for political gain.”
Will Rollins is a former federal prosecutor who focused on counterterrorism and counterintelligence cases in Southern California. He’s running for Congress because the attack on the U.S. Capitol underscored why America needs a new generation of leaders to end the toxic divisions that threaten our democracy and prevent us from solving problems together. After helping to prosecute some of the insurrectionists who attacked the US Capitol on January 6th, Will decided to challenge Republican Congressman Ken Calvert, who voted to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Coming of age at a time when being gay was a crime in many states, Will and his partner Paolo know that government-sponsored discrimination has lasting effects on all Americans, our economy, and our national security. Even today, being LGBTQ can jeopardize your personal security, safety, employment and so much more. That has motivated Will to improve the lives of others who face discrimination. Will’s mother and father, a public defender and journalist, stressed the importance of justice and free speech at a young age. His parents taught him that although the system may not be perfect, every generation has a responsibility to improve it. Will is running for Congress to bring justice and accountability back to Washington.
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.
