Washington, DC – Today, Equality PAC Co-Chairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-CA) and Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) released the following statement celebrating former federal prosecutor Will Rollins advancing to the November general election to represent California’s 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.
“Equality PAC could not be prouder of the campaign Will ran, connecting with voters and showing them that better representation in Congress can become a reality,” said Equality PAC Co-Chairs Chairman Mark Takano and Congressman David Cicilline. “For too long, Ken Calvert has put his constituents on the back burner, voting with radical Republicans to undermine democracy and risk our national security. Will offers a different vision for California’s 41st Congressional District, one that focuses on inclusion, safety, and security for every community. In Congress, we are excited to have Will as a partner as we continue fighting for the LGBTQ community in California and we cannot wait to welcome him into the Equality Caucus.”
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.
To learn more about Will Rollins and his campaign, please visit his website here.
###
