Washington, DC – Today, at the start of Pride Month and on the eve of their annual National Pride Gala during World Pride in Washington D.C., Equality PAC announced the endorsement of three LGBTQ House candidates for the 2026 midterm elections. They are:
- Marine Veteran JoAnna Mendoza (AZ-06), who is running against Republican incumbent Congressman Juan Ciscomani.
- Michigan State Senate President Jeremy Moss (MI-11) who is running to succeed Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens, who is retiring to run for Senate.
- Former Obama and Biden Administration official Eric Chung (MI-10) who is running to succeed Republican Congressman John James, who is retiring to run for governor.
“Equality PAC is proud to announce our first set of U.S. House endorsements for the 2026 midterm elections that include three trailblazing LGBTQ candidates who are ready to serve their communities and lead with courage and conviction,” said Equality PAC Co-Chairs Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA) and Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY). “We are thrilled to endorse Marine veteran JoAnna Mendoza, who is taking on anti-equality Republican Congressman Juan Ciscomani; Michigan State Senate President Jeremy Moss, a proven legislative leader who would make history as the first openly LGBTQ member of Congress from Michigan; and former Obama and Biden administration official Eric Chung, a first-time candidate with a deep record of public service who is running to flip a critical battleground seat currently held by a retiring Republican. These candidates represent the next generation of leadership—grounded in service, driven by purpose, and committed to delivering results for working families, protecting fundamental freedoms, and advancing equality for all. Equality PAC was created to elect leaders like JoAnna, Jeremy, and Eric, and we will be all in to help them win—from early investments to grassroots mobilization and national visibility. Representation matters and that progress depends on electing champions who reflect the strength and diversity of our nation. With these three extraordinary candidates, the future of Congress—and the future of equality—looks brighter than ever.”
“I’m grateful to have Equality PAC’s support in our mission to flip AZ-06,” said JoAnna Mendoza. “When elected, I’ll always have the backs of the LGBTQ+ community and fight to ensure everyone is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
“I’m honored to start Pride Month by earning the support from Equality PAC for my campaign to represent Oakland County in Congress,” said Michigan State Senate President Jeremy Moss. “When elected, I’ll make history as Michigan’s first openly gay member of Congress — and I’ll carry that responsibility with pride, purpose, and the urgency this moment demands. This endorsement will help us to continue to blaze the trails that give every Michigander the path to live an authentic life. I’m ready to bring this fight to Congress and speak out for all of us who feel marginalized by the persistent attacks on basic rights and freedoms.”
“I am thrilled to have the endorsement of Equality PAC,” said Eric Chung. “If elected, I will be Michigan’s first LGBTQ+ member of Congress, and I am excited to partner with Equality PAC to make sure Michigan voices and values are represented in Washington, D.C.”
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.
