Equality California Endorses Congressional Candidates in Four Competitive California Districts

“The road to a pro-equality majority in the U.S. House of Representatives runs right through California,” said Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur. “On behalf of our 800,000 members, we’re proud to stand with these exceptional Congressional candidates and appreciate their commitment to stand with the LGBTQ community in the fight for full equality and social justice.”

Congressional District 10

Michael Eggman is a third generation farmer, beekeeper, and small business owner from Turlock, California. Eggman understands the hardships faced by Central Valley families and business owners, and has committed to fighting for affordable health care, comprehensive immigration reform, good-paying local jobs and full LGBTQ equality and social justice if elected to Congress.

“Michael Eggman is a tireless advocate for the rights of LGBTQ Americans,” said Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur. “We’re excited to support his race against Republican Jeff Denham in one of the most important battleground districts in the Country.”

“I’m honored to have the support of Equality California,” said Michael Eggman. “Standing up for the rights of LGBTQ people is a top priority for me and in Congress I will fight every day for full equality and social justice.”

Congressional District 48

Harley Rouda is challenging Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, one of just nine incumbents in California’s Congressional delegation to earn a zero percent on Equality California’s 2017 legislative scorecard. Rohrabacher has distinguished himself as a strong ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, even as Putin has signed numerous anti-gay laws and regularly demonized the LGBTQ community. Rouda, on the other hand, is a successful businessman, philanthropist, attorney and tech entrepreneur who has demonstrated a long-term commitment to fighting for LGBTQ equality, affordable health care, a clean environment and an end to California’s homelessness crisis.

“Equality California is proud to endorse Harley Rouda for Congress because we’re confident that he will be a bold, loyal and dedicated leader on behalf of the LGBTQ community, working to tear down barriers and ensure equality for all,” said Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur. “Harley is a tried and true progressive and represents the best choice to flip California’s 48th District blue.”

“I’m incredibly honored to have the support of Equality California, one of the nation’s premier LGBTQ civil rights and advocacy organizations,” said Harley Rouda. “In Washington, I will be a dedicated fighter for building a more equal, fair, just and inclusive society. I look forward to joining forces with Equality California in the weeks and months ahead.”

Congressional District 49

Sara Jacobs was born and raised in the 49th District and is a proud product of local public schools. Sara has served in policy positions at the U.S. State Department during the Obama Administration, as a foreign policy advisor to Secretary Hillary Clinton during her 2016 campaign for president, and most recently served as the CEO of an international education nonprofit. Sara has dedicated her career to fighting for a fairer, more equitable world and finding innovative solutions to some of the most complex problems plaguing vulnerable communities — at home and around the world.

“In Congress, we need more than allies – we need champions who will never waver in their efforts to protect and advance the rights of the LGBTQ community,” said Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur. “Equality California is proud to endorse Sara because she is a much-needed voice in Washington — as a policymaker, a young woman, and the sister to two LGBTQ siblings — and a direct contrast to the Trump-Pence Administration and their anti-equality allies. Sara is the best candidate to ensure California’s 49th District has a champion for the LGBTQ community representing them in Congress.”

“I am honored to be endorsed by Equality California – as a proud sister to my trans brother and gender non-conforming sibling, and as a proud Californian,” said Sara Jacobs. “The issues facing the LGBTQ community are deeply personal to me, and I will make it my mission to fight against the divisive, dangerous, and hateful policies pushed by the current administration. My siblings, and all our families, deserve better.”

Congressional District 50

Ammar Campa-Najjar is challenging Congressman Duncan Hunter, one of just nine incumbents in California’s Congressional delegation to earn a zero percent on Equality California’s 2017 legislative scorecard. Campa-Najjar is a business owner who served in the U.S. Department of Labor during the Obama Administration. Campa-Najjar will prioritize fighting for affordable health care, apprenticeship job training, tuition-free college and full LGBTQ equality if elected to Congress.

“Ammar Campa-Najjar has proven his commitment to fighting for the LGBTQ community,” said Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur. “He’s boldly challenged Trump and Congressman Hunter on banning transgender people in the military and his strong commitment to equality makes him the best candidate in the fight to represent the 50th Congressional District.”

“I’m proud to have the support of Equality California, an organization that works tirelessly for the LGBTQ community and human rights for everyone in our society,” said Ammar Campa-Najjar. “Whether it’s in their private life as citizens or public life as members of our military, we should defend the rights of the LGBTQ community just like many of them have literally fought in battle for ours. I look forward to working with Equality California as a member of Congress and ally of the community.”