Washington, DC – Equality PAC has made history, electing 18 openly LGBTQ candidates to the 120th Congress. This historic result sets a new record for LGBTQ representation at the federal level, bringing the total number of openly LGBTQ people serving in Congress to 19 — 17 in the House and two in the Senate. These victories, alongside so many others across the country, mark a monumental step forward for LGBTQ representation, equality, and our movement.
Among the historic victories are:
- Chris Pappas will make history as the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate.
- J.D. Ford will make history as the first openly LGBTQ person to represent Indiana in Congress.
- Jeremy Moss will make history as the first openly LGBTQ person to represent Michigan in Congress.
- Cait Conley will make history as the first openly LGBTQ woman elected to Congress from New York.
- JoAnna Mendoza will make history as the first LGBTQ Latina to represent Arizona in Congress.
- Marni von Wilpert will make history as the first LGBTQ person to represent Palm Springs, a historic LGBTQ community, in Congress.
- Scott Wiener will make history as the first openly LGBTQ person to represent San Francisco in Congress.
- Victoria Broderick will make history as the first openly LGBTQ person to represent Tennessee in Congress.
- Janelle Sarauw will make history as the first openly LGBTQ person to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands in Congress.
“This historic election is a testament to what we can accomplish when we invest early, build strong campaigns, and work together to elect LGBTQ leaders across the country. Equality PAC played a critical role in making this moment possible by recruiting, supporting, and investing in an unprecedented slate of LGBTQ candidates and pro-equality champions, helping secure victories that will shape the future of Congress and our country,” said Equality PAC. “Time and again, our movement continues to break barriers and make history, expanding LGBTQ representation at the highest levels of government and ensuring our community has a seat at the table where decisions are made. This election marks another extraordinary milestone, setting a new record for openly LGBTQ representation in Congress and building the Pro-Equality Majorities we need to protect our rights, advance the Equality Act, and fight for a better future for all Americans.”
“As we look ahead, these victories are about more than representation. They are about electing leaders who will stand up to Donald Trump and Republicans, defend our fundamental freedoms, fight for our values, and push back against policies that threaten our communities,” Equality PAC continued. “They are about making life better and more affordable for working families, lowering costs, protecting access to health care, and ensuring every American has the opportunity to get ahead. We have made tremendous progress, but there is still so much work to do. Equality PAC will continue to lead that effort, recruiting the next generation of LGBTQ leaders, investing in competitive races across the country, and building the congressional majorities necessary to deliver meaningful progress for our community and the country.”
Below is the full list of Equality PAC-endorsed and LGBTQ candidates who won their elections.
- Senator-elect Chris Pappas (NH-Sen), who ran to succeed incumbent Democratic Senator Jean Shaheen. Chris will be the first openly gay man to ever serve in the chamber.
- Congresswoman-elect Cait Conley (NY-17), who defeated incumbent Republican Mike Lawler. Cait will be the first openly LGBTQ woman elected to federal office from New York.
- Congressman-elect J.D. Ford (IN-05), who defeated incumbent Republican Congresswoman Victoria Spartz. J.D. will become the first openly LGBTQ person to represent Indiana at the federal level.
- Congressman-elect Jeremy Moss (MI-11), who ran to succeed Congresswoman Haley Stevens. Jeremy will be the first openly LGBTQ person to represent Michigan at the federal level.
- Congresswoman-elect JoAnna Mendoza (AZ-06) who defeated incumbent Republican Juan Ciscomani.
- Congresswoman-elect Marni von Wilpert (CA-48), who flipped a battleground seat being vacated by incumbent Republican Darrell Issa.
- Congressman-elect Scott Wiener (CA-11), who ran to succeed Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi.
- Delegate-elect Janelle Sarauw (USVI-AL), who ran to succeed Delegate Stacey Plaskett. Janelle will be the first openly LGBTQ person to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands in Congress.
- Congresswoman-elect Victoria Broderick (TN-04) who defeated incumbent Republican Congressman Scott DesJarlais. Victoria will be the first openly LGBTQ person to represent Tennessee at the federal level.
- Equality PAC Co-Chair Ranking Member Mark Takano (CA-39), who will likely serve as the top Democrat on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
- Equality PAC Co-Chair Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15).
- Equality PAC Vice Chair Congressman Becca Balint (VT-AL).
- Ranking Member Robert Garcia (CA-42), who will likely serve as the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee.
- Congresswoman Emily Randall (WA-06).
- Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17).
- Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02).
- Congresswoman Sarah McBride (DE-AL).
- Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-02).
In total, Equality PAC invested more than $8.7 million directly in races featuring our endorsed candidates—more than double our direct investment in the 2024 election cycle. Beyond these investments, Equality PAC provided additional financial support to 28 DCCC Frontline Members and 59 candidates participating in the DCCC’s Red to Blue and Districts in Play programs. These investments reflect our commitment to electing strong pro-equality champions, expanding LGBTQ representation, and building Pro-Equality Majorities in both chambers of Congress.
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Equality PAC’s primary mission is simple: to elect more LGBTQ+ persons to Congress. Individuals who will have a seat at the table, impact the debate, and humanize the LGBTQ community’s concerns. Beyond this goal, Equality PAC also supports strong LGBTQ community allies who will proudly and unapologetically stand with us in the fight to pass the Equality Act and equal protection under our nation’s laws. All of the funds that Equality PAC raises are directed to re-elect and expand our small – but mighty – LGBTQ caucus and to elect a pro-Equality Majority in the House of Representatives.
In the short time Equality PAC has existed, it has played an unmatched role in making history for the LGBTQ community — electing LGBTQ leaders at the federal level such as current House Members Sharice Davis (KS); Ritchie Torres (NY); Becca Balint (VT); Robert Garcia (CA); Eric Sorensen (IL); Angie Craig (MN); Chris Pappas (NH), Julie Johnson (TX); Emily Randall (WA); and Sarah McBride (DE).
With the elections of Julie, Emily, and Sarah two years ago, we not only made history by electing the first openly LGBTQ person ever elected to Congress from Texas or the South; the first ever queer Latina elected to Congress; and the first trans person ever elected to Congress — but we also DOUBLED the number of LGBTQ women in the House from three to six. And for the first time ever – there is near gender parity within the LGBTQ caucus with six women and seven men serving together in the House. This is an incredible accomplishment. On top of this, six of the 13 LGBTQ persons serving right now in the House are persons of color. These are incredible accomplishments for our community and its representation in Congress.
Already this cycle, Equality PAC has made history with Michigan State Senate President Jeremy Moss — who recently won the Democratic Primary in MI-11 and is all-but-certain to win the general election for this “Safe Democrat” open seat. Once elected and sworn in, Jeremy will be the first LGBTQ person ever elected to Congress from Michigan. Equality PAC has also made history with Janelle Sarauw, who will be the first LGBTQ person ever elected to Congress from the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Equality PAC currently has endorsed 4 additional non-incumbent LGBTQ candidates for the 2026 midterms, including three on the DCCC’s Red2Blue list: JoAnna Mendoza (AZ-06); Marni von Wilpert (CA-48); Cait Conley (NY-17); Scott Wiener (CA-11); and J.D. Ford (IN-05).