Date: October 28, 2019
Contact: Jeff Larivee, (202) 821-5203
Equality PAC Endorses John Blair for Congress
Cites “long record of fighting for full LGBTQ equality”
SANTA FE – Today, Democrat John Blair received the endorsement of Equality PAC, the political action committee formed by leaders of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus. In today’s endorsement, the powerful political group highlighted Blair’s work for LGBT equality.
“John Blair is exactly the kind of strong progressive who will help us fight for full equality for every American,” said Equality PAC Co-Chair and Rhode Island Congressman David Cicilline. “From his work for President Obama at the Interior Department to make the Stonewall Inn the first national monument that tells the story of LGBT civil rights, to his leadership at the LGBT Congressional Staff Association, to his work on behalf of homeless LGBTQ youth in New Mexico, John has a long record of fighting for full LGBT equality. We know our caucus will be stronger with John in it and that’s why we’re dedicated to helping him win this race.”
“John Blair will be the first LGBT New Mexican in Congress, and we’re proud to stand with him in this historic fight,” said Equality PAC Co-Chair and California Congressman Mark Takano. “New Mexicans clearly value and celebrate diversity in their state, and I’m confident John will be a proud voice for all New Mexicans, regardless of the color of their skin, their gender, or whom they love. Thanks to his long record of public service, John is the only candidate with the experience to hit the ground running in Congress and get to work on day one.”
“I’m honored to receive the endorsement of Equality PAC,” said Blair. “I’ve spent my career fighting for progressive values, and in Congress I’m not going to rest until the LGBT community has the same rights as everybody else. With anti-equality LGBTQ policies still being pushed in Congress and by the Trump Administration we don’t have a moment to waste.”
Equality PAC is the political arm of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus and is dedicated to the full legal and societal equality for LGBT Americans. All funds raised into Equality PAC are spent supporting and electing openly LGBT individuals and strong LGBT allies to the United States Congress and Senate who are committed to passing the Equality Act and to ensuring full civil rights and protections for all LGBT individuals.
Last year, Equality PAC made history by helping to elect Senator Kyrsten Sinema (Arizona), re-electing Senator Tammy Baldwin (WI), and electing three new Members of Congress: Angie Craig (MN), Chris Pappas (NH), and Sharice Davids (KS). In total, Equality PAC contributed nearly $3m towards the effort to flip the House during the midterm elections and plans to continue building on that progress in the 2020 elections with endorsed LGBT candidates in open Democratic seats in California, New York, and New Mexico and an open-Republican seat in Texas.
John Blair would be the first LGBT member of Congress elected from New Mexico. He previously served in the Obama Administration’s Interior Department as Director of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, where he worked with state and local governments to enact President Obama’s progressive agenda combating climate change and protecting our land. Before serving in this role, Blair worked for New Mexico Democrats including then-Congressman Martin Heinrich, Senator Jeff Bingaman, New Mexico Supreme Court Justice Edward Chávez and then New Mexico State Auditor Hector Balderas. Most recently, John served as Deputy Secretary of State to New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, where he worked to make elections more fair, accessible, and secure.
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