Washington, DC – Today, Equality PAC Co-Chairs Chairman Mark Takano (D-CA) and Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) announced the endorsement of Arizona State Representative Daniel Hernandez for Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District. Hernandez is running to replace Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, who is retiring at the end of the 117th Congress. During his time in the Arizona House, Hernandez founded and chaired their first legislative LGBTQ Caucus.
“We are proud to support Daniel Hernandez in his campaign to represent Arizona’s Second District,” said Equality PAC Co-Chair Chairman Mark Takano. “Daniel will bring a strong and distinctive voice to the Democratic caucus, both from his experience as a Latino member of the LGTBQ community as well as from his time in public office at the local and state level. I look forward to welcoming him as a colleague and fellow member of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus.”
“Daniel has a clear record of results as a member of the Arizona House,” said Equality PAC Co-Chair Congressman David Cicilline. “During the pandemic, Daniel saved a rural hospital that treats underserved communities in Southern Arizona and has worked with people on both sides of the aisle to pass bills protecting survivors of sexual assault. He also led the fight against legislation that would discriminate against LGBTQ Arizonans. I know Daniel will bring those same progressive values and ability to get things done to Congress.”
Daniel was born and raised in Tucson, the son of a Mexican immigrant. A first-generation college student, Daniel attended the University of Arizona when he interned for then-Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and was there on the day of the tragic attack on her life which resulted in 6 deaths and 13 people injured. Daniel was the first to administer first aid to the Congresswoman before the EMTs arrived and was named a national hero by President Obama.
Inspired by Congresswoman Giffords’ commitment to public service, Daniel went on to advocate for access to reproductive health care and education as program manager for Raíz, Planned Parenthood’s Latino outreach program. He was elected to his local school board, where he became the youngest school board president in the district’s history. Since 2017, Daniel has served in the Arizona State House.
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.
In total, Equality PAC raised over $6.3m for Equality PAC during the previous two-year cycle — with generous supporters in all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico and throughout the business community. In addition to this, Equality PAC raised over $2.7m directly for our endorsed LGBTQ congressional candidates and funded crucial independent expenditures.
To learn more about Hernandez and his campaign, please visit danielhernandezforcongress.com.
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