LGBT hopefuls face steep odds in bids for Congress

By
thepridela
-
Non-incumbent LGBT candidates include (top l – r) Angie Craig, Bao Nguyen, Paul Babeu, Misty Snow, Dr. Matt Heinz; (bottom row l – r) Clay Cope, Denise Juneau, Brady Walkinshaw, Jim Gray and Misty Plowright (Photos courtesy campaigns; Plowright photo by Michael Herrera)
Non-incumbent LGBT candidates include (top l – r) Angie Craig, Bao Nguyen, Paul Babeu, Misty Snow, Dr. Matt Heinz; (bottom row l – r) Clay Cope, Denise Juneau, Brady Walkinshaw, Jim Gray and Misty Plowright (Photos courtesy campaigns; Plowright photo by Michael Herrera)
Non-incumbent LGBT candidates include (top l – r) Angie Craig, Bao Nguyen, Paul Babeu, Misty Snow, Dr. Matt Heinz; (bottom row l – r) Clay Cope, Denise Juneau, Brady Walkinshaw, Jim Gray and Misty Plowright (Photos courtesy campaigns; Plowright photo by Michael Herrera)

BY CHRIS JOHNSON  |  A plethora of non-incumbent openly LGBT candidates is seeking election to Congress this year, but a look at the polls reveals many of them are facing an uphill climb.

- Advertisement -

The Washington Blade identified 10 openly LGBT non-incumbent candidates running for seats in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate in 2016, including two candidates who are the first-ever openly transgender people to win nominations from a major U.S. political party, two openly gay Republicans and a candidate who’d be the first out lesbian with children elected to Congress.

The best prospect in this lot is business executive Angie Craig, a lesbian Democrat running against Republican Jason Lewis to represent Minnesota’s 2nd congressional district, which comprises suburbs of the Twin Cities.

According to a KSTP/SurveyUSA poll published on Oct. 17, Craig has a lead with 46 percent of the vote compared to the 41 percent who support her opponent, although 12 percent of voters were undecided.

A victory for Craig would mean Democrats retake a seat held by Republicans for 13 years, most recently by anti-LGBT Rep. John Kline (R-Minn.), who’s retiring this year.

Additionally, it would mark the first time since Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) left the House to serve in the Senate that an out lesbian served in the House as well as the first time a married lesbian with children served in Congress.

Kyle Kondik, managing editor for “Sabato’s Crystal Ball” at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said Craig has a good chance of winning the race.

“She is a small favorite thanks to a controversial opponent and Clinton’s likely ability to run ahead of Obama’s 2012 performance in this suburban swing district,” Kondik said.

Another bright spot lies in the six incumbent openly LGB members of the U.S. House. Reps. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), David Cicilline (D-R.I.), Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) and Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.) are Democrats and relatively safe as they pursue re-election during a presidential year with Hillary Clinton at the top of the ballot. The Blade couldn’t find polls bothering to monitor these races.

But the good news ends there for LGBT congressional candidates. The two openly LGBT candidates running for seats in the U.S. Senate — Lexington Mayor Jim Gray in Kentucky and Misty Snow in Utah — face daunting odds, according to polls.

In Kentucky, Gray is challenging Republican presidential candidate and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who has overwhelming name recognition in the Bluegrass State. Gray’s election would double the openly gay representation in the U.S. Senate, but that doesn’t look to be in the cards.

A WKU Social Science Research Center poll published on Tuesday found Paul has 55 percent of support compared to the 39 percent for Gray and six percent who are undecided.

In Utah, Snow made history by being the first openly transgender person nominated by a major U.S. party for a U.S. Senate seat, but faces overwhelming odds against incumbent Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah). A UtahPolicy.com survey published last month found Snow trailing Lee by a whopping 39 points. Lee had 61 percent support, while Snow had just 22 percent.

In Colorado, Army veteran Misty Plowright made history on the same day as Snow by becoming the first openly transgender person nominated by a major U.S. party for a U.S. House race, but she faces daunting odds in the state’s 5th congressional district against five-term incumbent Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.). The Blade couldn’t find a poll monitoring the election.

The situation is reversed in terms of party in a Connecticut race. Clay Cope, an openly gay Republican who serves on the board of selectman for the town of Sherman, faces an overwhelming challenge in his bid to unseat two-term incumbent Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-Conn.), who represents the state’s 5th congressional district. No polls could be found monitoring this race.

In Arizona’s 1st congressional district, Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu, who came out as gay in 2012 amid controversy during an earlier congressional bid, is running against Democratic former state Sen. Tom O’Halleran. It was once considered a competitive race, but a poll commissioned by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee made public last month found O’Halleran had opened up a 10-point lead over his gay Republican challenger.

In California’s 46th congressional district, two Democrats — former State Sen. Lou Correa and gay candidate Bao Nguyen — are running against each other as a result of the state’s so-called jungle primary, which allows the top two voter-getters regardless of party to proceed to the general election.

But Correa won the most votes in the June primary. Last month, a poll from his campaign found he had a 2-1 margin over his opponent. According to the poll, which found Correa had support among 47 percent of respondents, the number of undecided voters, 30 percent, was higher than the 23 percent who supported Nguyen.

Washington’s 7th congressional district is in a similar situation because two Democrats — State Sen. Pramila Jayapal and gay State Rep. Brady Walkinshaw — are running in the general election as a result of the state’s jungle primary system.

But the Bernie Sanders-backed Jayapal, who would be the first South Asian woman elected to Congress, trounced Walkinshaw in the primary and a poll unveiled by her campaign in August, as reported by the Seattle-based Stranger, found she was up 14 points heading into the general election.

In Arizona’s 2nd congressional district, gay physician Matt Heinz is challenging incumbent Rep. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.). A Wilson Perkins Allen Research poll published in September found McSally has a double-digit lead with 56 percent of support compared to the 37 percent enjoyed by Heinz.

Kondik attributed Heinz’ standing behind McSally in the race to neglect at the national level and the effort the Republican has placed in the race.

“It would be a big surprise if he won given that Martha McSally, the incumbent, is well-funded and has worked the district hard,” Kondik said. “National Democrats never took much interest in his candidacy.”

In Montana, where the race for U.S. House is for an at-large seat, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau, who would be the first lesbian Native American elected to Congress, is challenging freshman incumbent Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.).

Although Juneau once boasted a small deficit in the polls, that deficit seems to have expanded. A poll published last month by the Mason-Dixon polling firm found Zinke leading Juneau by a margin of 53 percent to 40 percent.

Of these non-incumbent candidates, the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund has endorsed one of the Senate candidates, Gray, as well as five of the House candidates: Heinz, Walkinshaw, Craig, Nguyen and Juneau. Snow, Babeu, Plowright and Cope aren’t among the endorsed candidates. The organization is known to endorse only openly LGBT candidates that have a reasonable chance of winning.

Aisha Moodie-Mills, CEO of the Victory Fund, was optimistic despite the challenges these candidates face, pointing to internal early vote numbers, and said the endorsed candidates “are running great campaigns and could dramatically increase our numbers in the next Congress.”

“Angie Craig, Denise Juneau, Matt Heinz and Brady Walkinshaw are proof that the right LGBT candidates with the right message can run and win competitive campaigns anywhere,” Moodie-Mills said. “We’re looking forward to seeing just how large the Equality Caucus will grow on election night – but this week is critical. While early vote numbers look good for our races, our community has to turn out and urge friends and family in those districts to vote for equality.”

—  Special to The Pride LA from the Washington Blade and National Gay Media Association.

Comments

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

160 COMMENTS

  38. I see you don’t monetize your page, don’t waste your
    traffic, you can earn additional bucks every month because you’ve got
    hi quality content. If you want to know how to
    make extra bucks, search for: best adsense alternative Wrastain’s tools

  41. Hi, i think that i saw you visited my web site so i came to “return the favor”.I’m trying to find things
    to enhance my web site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!

  42. It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy.
    I have read this post and if I could I want to suggest you some
    interesting things or tips. Perhaps you could write next articles referring
    to this article. I desire to read even more things about it!

  44. I do not know if it’s just me or if everyone else encountering problems with your site.
    It appears as if some of the text within your content are running off the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback and let me know if this is
    happening to them as well? This may be a problem with my internet browser because I’ve had this happen before.
    Appreciate it

  45. … [Trackback]

    […] Read More on|Read More|Find More Infos here|There you will find 79601 more Infos|Informations on that Topic: thepridela.com/2016/11/lgbt-hopefuls-face-steep-odds-bids-congress/ […]

  48. When I initially commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I receive four emails with the
    exact same comment. Perhaps there is a means you are able to remove me from that service?
    Many thanks!

  55. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I
    acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing
    to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently
    fast.

  66. After looking over a handful of the blog posts on your web page, I really appreciate your technique
    of blogging. I book-marked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Please check
    out my web site too and let me know what you think.

  77. facebook find love –
    Right here is the perfect webpage for anybody who really wants
    to understand this topic. You understand a whole lot its
    almost hard to argue with you (not that I really will need to…HaHa).
    You definitely put a new spin on a topic which has been written about for many years.
    Excellent stuff, just great!

  78. Virtually all of whatever you articulate is supprisingly legitimate and it makes me wonder the reason why I had not looked at this in this light before. This piece truly did switch the light on for me as far as this specific topic goes. However at this time there is one particular factor I am not too cozy with so whilst I attempt to reconcile that with the actual central theme of your point, permit me see exactly what the rest of the visitors have to point out.Well done.

  81. facebook find love –
    Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed!

    Very useful info specially the ultimate phase 🙂 I care for such info
    a lot. I used to be looking for this particular info for a very
    lengthy time. Thank you and good luck.

  85. Thank you for another informative blog. The place else
    may I am getting that kind of information written in such an ideal
    way? I’ve a venture that I am just now working on, and I
    have been on the glance out for such information.

  86. Somebody necessarily lend a hand to make critically posts I’d state.
    This is the first time I frequented your web page and to this point?
    I amazed with the research you made to make this particular post extraordinary.
    Fantastic job!

  87. What i do not understood is actually how you’re
    no longer actually a lot more neatly-preferred than you might be right
    now. You are very intelligent. You understand therefore considerably on the subject of this matter,
    made me for my part consider it from a lot of numerous angles.
    Its like men and women don’t seem to be interested unless it’s
    one thing to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your individual stuffs great.
    At all times take care of it up!

  88. Greetings from Colorado! I’m bored to death
    at work so I decided to browse your website on my iphone during lunch break.

    I really like the information you provide here and can’t wait to take
    a look when I get home. I’m surprised at how fast your blog loaded on my
    phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G ..
    Anyways, excellent blog!

  91. Hello, i think that i saw you visited my web site thus i came to “return the favor”.I am trying to find things to enhance my
    web site!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!

  93. Link exchange is nothing else except it is only placing the other person’s webpage link
    on your page at appropriate place and other person will also do same for you.

  94. I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s
    equally educative and entertaining, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head.
    The problem is something that too few people are speaking intelligently about.
    I am very happy that I found this during my hunt for something concerning this.

  99. I do not even know how I ended up here, but
    I thought this post was good. I don’t know who you are
    but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!

  100. Hey there! I could have sworn I’ve been to
    this website before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to
    me. Anyhow, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking
    and checking back frequently!

  105. I was recommended this web site by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my trouble.

    You’re wonderful! Thanks!

  107. When someone writes an piece of writing
    he/she keeps the plan of a user in his/her mind that how a user can understand it.
    Thus that’s why this paragraph is outstdanding. Thanks!

  109. My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP.
    I have always disliked the idea because of the costs.
    But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on several websites for about a year and
    am concerned about switching to another platform.
    I have heard excellent things about blogengine.net. Is there
    a way I can import all my wordpress posts into it? Any help
    would be greatly appreciated!

  115. Today, I went to the beach with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and
    said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She
    placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a
    hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back!
    LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!

  117. It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to
    be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you
    some interesting things or advice. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article.
    I wish to read more things about it!

  124. First off I want to say superb blog! I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you do not mind.

    I was interested to find out how you center yourself and clear your head prior
    to writing. I’ve had a tough time clearing my thoughts in getting my thoughts out there.

    I truly do enjoy writing however it just seems like the first
    10 to 15 minutes are generally wasted just trying to figure out how
    to begin. Any ideas or tips? Many thanks!

  125. I do trust all the ideas you’ve offered in your post.
    They’re really convincing and will certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are too short for novices.
    May you please extend them a bit from subsequent time?
    Thank you for the post.

  129. I blog often and I truly thank you for your content. The article has really peaked my interest.

    I’m going to take a note of your website and keep checking
    for new information about once per week. I subscribed to your RSS feed too.

  130. hi!,I like your writing very much! percentage we be in contact more
    about your article on AOL? I need a specialist on this house to solve
    my problem. May be that’s you! Taking a look ahead to see you.

  133. Magnificent goods from you, man. I have bear in mind your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely great.
    I really like what you have acquired here, certainly like what
    you are saying and the way by which you assert it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it wise.
    I can’t wait to learn much more from you. That is actually a terrific website.

  135. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like
    you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with
    a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is fantastic blog.
    A great read. I’ll definitely be back.

  137. Please let me know if you’re looking for a article author for
    your blog. You have some really good articles and I think I would be a good asset.
    If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d really
    like to write some material for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.

    Please blast me an e-mail if interested. Thank you!

  138. Heya outstanding blog! Does running a blog such as this
    require a massive amount work? I have virtually no knowledge of coding but I was hoping
    to start my own blog in the near future. Anyways, if you have any recommendations or tips for new
    blog owners please share. I understand this is
    off subject nevertheless I just had to ask. Many thanks!

  142. Unquestionably believe that which you stated.
    Your favorite reason seemed to be on the internet the easiest thing to be
    aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people consider worries that they just do not know about.
    You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the
    whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal.
    Will likely be back to get more. Thanks

  143. Hey there! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form?

    I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty
    finding one? Thanks a lot!

  145. Unquestionably consider that that you stated. Your favourite reason appeared to be on the internet the easiest thing to keep in mind of.

    I say to you, I certainly get irked even as people think about concerns that they just don’t recognize about.
    You controlled to hit the nail upon the highest and also outlined out the whole thing without having side
    effect , folks could take a signal. Will likely be back to get more.
    Thanks

  146. I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it
    much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more
    often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme?
    Exceptional work!

  149. Hello exceptional blog! Does running a blog similar to this take a large amount
    of work? I have no understanding of computer programming but I had been hoping to start
    my own blog soon. Anyways, should you have any suggestions or tips for new blog
    owners please share. I understand this is off topic however I simply wanted to ask.
    Thanks!

  151. I actually wanted to write a remark in order to say thanks to you for some of the superb hints you are posting at this website. My prolonged internet investigation has at the end of the day been paid with useful content to go over with my pals. I ‘d believe that most of us website visitors actually are quite fortunate to dwell in a magnificent website with so many marvellous individuals with very beneficial strategies. I feel quite lucky to have seen your entire web site and look forward to so many more awesome moments reading here. Thank you once more for all the details.

  152. It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be
    happy. I have read this post and if I could I desire to suggest
    you some interesting things or suggestions. Perhaps you can write next articles referring
    to this article. I desire to read even more things about it!

  153. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make
    your point. You definitely know what youre talking about,
    why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos
    to your site when you could be giving us something
    informative to read?

  154. excellent issues altogether, you simply gained a logo new reader.
    What might you suggest about your put up that you just made a few days in the past?
    Any certain?

  156. An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment.
    I do believe that you need to publish more about this subject, it
    might not be a taboo subject but usually folks don’t discuss
    these subjects. To the next! Best wishes!!

  158. I was curious if you ever considered changing the structure of
    your website? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.

    But maybe you could a little more in the way of
    content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only
    having one or 2 pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?

  159. I do trust all the ideas you have presented on your post.

    They are very convincing and will definitely work. Still, the posts
    are very brief for starters. May just you please lengthen them a
    bit from next time? Thank you for the post.

  160. I was recommended this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my problem.
    You are incredible! Thanks!

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here