Washington, DC – Today, Equality PAC released the following statement primary results for California’s 16thCongressional District, where Equality PAC endorsed candidate California Assemblymember Evan Low advanced to the November general election. In a historic and unprecedented result, the election for second place resulted in a tie between Low and Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian, with each candidate receiving 30,249 votes. In addition to Simitian, Low will face former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo in November in a three-person race.
“Sometimes democracy takes a moment to work, and in this case, we are very excited to see Evan advance to the November general election as he works to secure the votes to represent California’s 16th Congressional District in the House,” said Equality PAC Co-Chairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA) and Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY). “Like so many other candidates across the nation, Equality PAC came in early to support Evan among a crowded primary field. Every endorsement, every door knocked, every phone call truly made the difference in this race, and Equality PAC was there every step of the way. Evan’s primary race represents the impact Equality PAC can have on races across the nation as we work to boost more LGBTQ candidates that will help advance our equality agenda. As Evan begins this unique three-person race for Congress, we remain confident in his ability to show voters why he is the best candidate to represent them in Washington. Evan has been an LGBTQ leader in California, and we need him to be part of our new pro-equality majority in the House.”
Equality PAC’s 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. All the funds we raise are used to elect and re-elect LGBTQ persons to Congress and secondarily support 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.
In the short time that Equality PAC has existed, Equality PAC 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), as well as former House Member Mondaire Jones (New York). Equality PAC has been instrumental in winning key races that have determined control of Congress 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.
###
