Washington, DC – Today, Equality PAC endorsed a set of three LGBTQ congressional candidates that will be running in the 2024 elections: Texas State Representative Julie Johnson (TX-32), Maryland State Delegate Joe Vogel (MD-06), and former U.S. Justice Department lawyer Will Rollins (CA-41).
Texas State Representative Julie Johnson is running to replace Congressman Colin Allred in Texas’ 32nd Congressional District, who is leaving the House to run for Senate. Maryland State Delegate Joe Vogel is running to replace Congressman David Trone in Maryland’s 6th Congressional District, who is also leaving the House to run for Senate. And Will Rollins is running for a second time in California’s 41st Congressional District, seeking to unseat Republican Congressman Ken Calvert.
“As we celebrate Pride Month, Equality PAC is proud to enthusiastically endorse this set of three talented, diverse, and battle-tested candidates in districts across the nation that will help us grow the Equality Caucus, advance the Equality Act, and protect LGBTQ rights,” said Equality PAC Co-Chairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA) and Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY). “In Texas, State Representative Julie Johnson has been a stalwart leader in the fight for LGBTQ rights in a state where members of the LGBTQ community have been targeted just for being who they are. In Maryland, State Delegate Joe Vogel has a strong track record of standing up for our community and will make sure this swing seat elects someone who will fight for equality. And finally, we are thrilled to once again stand with Will Rollins as he takes on renowned homophobic incumbent Ken Calvert for a second time. As we speak, our community is facing an unprecedented level of attacks, targeting trans people, children, and families. Making sure we have representation in Congress is a critical component to protecting these vulnerable communities. We look forward to working with all these candidates to build winning campaigns and fulfill Equality PAC’s mission to elect more LGBTQ persons to federal office and to ensure a Pro-Equality Majority in Congress.”
“As a gay legislator, I am deeply humbled to be endorsed by an organization that has been at the forefront of the battle for LGBTQ rights, leveraging its influence and resources to support candidates who are unwavering in their dedication to equality,” said Johnson. “The endorsement of Equality PAC signifies a pivotal moment—a resounding affirmation that our historic fight in Texas has not gone unnoticed. Together, we will forge ahead, fostering an environment where equality is codified into law and discrimination is consigned to history.”
“I am so grateful to the Equality PAC for endorsing our campaign for Congress in Maryland’s 6th Congressional District,” said Vogel. “As far-right extremists launch an all-out attack on our community and threaten our freedoms, now is the time to fight back and elect more openly-LGBTQ+ leaders. Here in Maryland, we have the chance to make history by electing the first openly-LGBTQ+ member of Congress from Maryland. That progress has been possible because of the work of Equality PAC and the leadership of the LGBTQ+ members of Congress who have blazed the trail. I look forward to joining them in Congress as we fight for full equality.”
“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 Rollins. “Riverside County needs a representative who will join Congressman Takano in 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.”
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.
