Washington, DC – Today, federal judges in El Paso, Texas are reviewing whether the mid-decade redistricting maps in Texas can be adopted for the 2026 election. This is the first legal test of the Texas redistricting effort after the state GOP redrew the maps at Donald Trump’s behest to give Republicans a possible five seat advantage in the U.S. House of Representatives going into the midterms next year. The proposed maps would reduce the number of Democratic seats in the Dallas area from three to two – putting Congresswoman and Equality PAC Vice Chair Julie Johnson at risk. Johnson currently represents Texas’ 32nd Congressional District.
Equality PAC released the following statement on Texas’ mid-decade congressional redistricting plan:
“Equality PAC is fully committed to protecting Congresswoman Julie Johnson and ensuring she is re-elected to Congress, whether that be in her current congressional district or in the new 33rd Congressional District, which includes the heart of the LGBTQ community in Dallas,” said Equality PAC Co-Chairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA) and Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY). “Since making history in 2024 as the first openly LGBTQ person elected from both Texas and the South, Julie has been a fearless advocate for equality, working families, women, and marginalized communities across the nation. During her first term in Congress, she has brought the voices of LGBTQ Texans into the halls of power, championed legislation to expand civil rights protections, fought to defend reproductive freedom, and worked tirelessly to deliver resources back home to North Texas – and she has been an inspiration and beacon of hope to the LGBTQ Americans throughout the South, particularly as our community is under seemingly constant attack from all levels of our government.”
“No matter what happens with Texas’ congressional maps, we are proud to stand with Julie. And let us be clear: Equality PAC will throw our full weight behind her re-election campaign – in whatever district she chooses to run in,” the Co-Chairs continued. “We invested heavily to help make her historic victory possible, and we will do whatever it takes to make sure she continues her important work in Washington. Julie is more than a first—she is a leader who has already proven her ability to get results and inspire change. That’s why Equality PAC will fight side by side with her in 2026 and beyond, because we know how much is at stake for the LGBTQ community, for Texas, and for the entire country.”
When elected in 2024, Johnson made history as the first openly LGBTQ person ever elected to Congress from both Texas and the South. Equality PAC played a critical role in that victory, investing heavily to help her emerge from a crowded 10-way primary, avoid a costly runoff, and secure this groundbreaking win.
In the short time that 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 (Kansas); Ritchie Torres (New York); Becca Balint (Vermont); Robert Garcia (California); Eric Sorensen (Illinois); Emily Randall (Washington), Sarah Mcbride (Delaware), Angie Craig (Minnesota); and Chris Pappas (New Hampshire).
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 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.
Today, Equality PAC remains the only identity PAC that financially supports every Frontline Member and Red2Blue candidate because we know that without pro-Equality majorities, the progress our community has made and the civil rights and equal protections we have fought so hard for – and are still fighting for every day – remain in jeopardy.
In the short time that 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 (Kansas); Ritchie Torres (New York); Becca Balint (Vermont); Robert Garcia (California); Eric Sorensen (Illinois); Angie Craig (Minnesota); and Chris Pappas (New Hampshire).
And in the most recent elections, Equality PAC notched three huge historic wins: in TX-32 with Julie Johnson who made history as the first openly LGBTQ person ever elected to Congress from Texas or the South; in WA-06 with Emily Randall who made history as the first ever queer Latina elected to Congress and the first LGBTQ Member from Washington state; and with DE state Senator Sarah McBride in DE-AL as the first trans person ever elected to Congress.
With their elections, we have DOUBLED the number of LGBTQ women in the House from 3 to 6. And for the first time ever – there is parity within the LGBTQ caucus with 6 women and 6 men serving together in the House. This is an incredible accomplishment. On top of this, 5 of the 12 LGBTQ persons serving right now in the House are persons of color. These are incredible accomplishments for our community and its representation in Congress
Equality PAC has grown exponentially since its founding by Congressman Mark Takano and former Congressman (now Governor) Jared Polis in 2014 – when we raised $32,000 from some very loyal and trusting friends who took a chance on us and the experiment we were at the time. Today, we are extraordinarily grateful to have deeply committed and generous supporters in all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico – and throughout the grassroots, labor, and business communities.
In total, during the 2023-24 election cycle, we raised and spent an impressive $23.4m for Equality PAC and direct contributions for our endorsed Members and candidates, state Party funds, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), and independent expenditure efforts. As we look to the 2026 election and possible opportunities – particularly in potential open House and Senate seat races – we anticipate making even more history and growing the LGBTQ House Caucus deeper into double digits and electing at least two new LGBTQ Senators.