LPAC, the country’s only lesbian political action committee, today announces a new round of endorsements, including Krysten Sinema for U.S. Senate in Arizona, Lauren Baer for U.S. Representative in Florida District 18 and Fran Watson for Texas State Senate District 17. Earlier this year LPAC endorsed four candidates at state and local levels and will continue to roll out endorsements in this critical midterm election year. “We are thrilled to continue to endorse and support more highly qualified, viable progressive candidates like these,” said Laura Ricketts, LPAC’s Board Chair. “More women and progressive, candidates continue to step up to the plate and we will work to provide as much support as possible,” continued Ricketts. “It is time to take back the seats now held by governors, senators, members of congress and others at the national, state and local levels who continue to marginalize immigrants, women, LGBTQ people and communities of color – we must stop the assault on civil rights and civil liberties this nation is facing,” continued Ricketts. “LPAC is proud to endorse Krysten Sinema, Lauren Baer and Fran Watson. These women will be our advocates and champions when we need them most and will fight for what’s right and never back down," said LPAC Political Strategy Chair Ana Cruz. “We are committed to electing candidates who will stand up for women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, human rights, dreamers, immigrants and all Americans,” concluded Cruz. More information about the candidates: Krysten Sinema for U.S. Senate – Arizona: Sinema is running for the U.S. Senate for Arizona and was the first openly bisexual person to be elected to Congress. Sinema has been endorsed by EMILY’s List, Human Rights Campaign, End Citizens United, DSCC, Victory Fund, Run With Pride as well as current and former congressmen, mayors, county officials, state representatives, state senators and a number of local representatives. Congresswoman Sinema served in the Arizona State House from 2004 to 2010 and the Arizona State Senate from 2011-2012. She served in the US House of Representatives from 2013 to present. Sinema’s priorities are focused on fixing the broken Washington political system, ensuring Arizonans’ veterans get the care they need and deserve, and ensuring every hardworking Arizonan gets a shot at the American dream. Lauren Baer for U.S. Representative in Florida District 18: Like so many women this year, Baer has never run for office. Her top priorities are economic prosperity for all, environmental protection and smart foreign policy. She supports job skills training, fiscal responsibility, and equitable tax reform, equal pay for equal work, workplace and employment non-discrimination including the LGBTQ community, raising the minimum wage to a living wage, preserving the social safety net provided by Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, access to affordable healthcare (supports ACA) and other progressive issues. She served as a political appointee in the Obama administration from 2011 to 2017 as a senior advisor to Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton and John Kerry as well as to the US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power. She has been endorsed by the Victory Fund and the Equality PAC. She is on the New Dem PAC Candidate Watch List. Baer is an out lesbian who lives with her wife and newborn daughter. Fran Watson for Texas State Senate – District 17: While Texas District 17 is usually a Republican district, the demographics of the area are shifting. A successful attorney, Watson would be first openly LGBTQ candidate elected to state’s upper chamber. Watson is a native Houstonian married her wife, Kim Atkins, in 2013. Watson appears to have the edge in her primary as well as the ability to mobilize young, energetic voters. Watson was recently featured in OutSmart magazine which featured her as one of a historic number of out LGBTQ candidates running for office in Texas. Her inspirational personal story is one of resilience and commitment to be of service to all her potential constituents. About LPAC
LPAC builds the political power of lesbians and queer women by electing candidates who champion LGBTQ rights, women’s equality and social justice. LPAC achieves its mission by increasing the political power and engagement of LGBTQ women and their allies, and building a network of lesbians and queer women who take political action. For more information or to get involved go to https://teamlpac.com/get-involved/#joinUs.