Washington – Today LGBTQ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office, endorsed Michigan state Rep. Jon Hoadley for U.S. Congress. If elected, Hoadley would become the first openly LGBTQ member of Congress from Michigan and would flip a key swing seat for the Democrats. The race for Michigan's 6th Congressional District is among the most closely watched 2020 Congressional races. The seat is currently held by anti-LGBTQ U.S. Rep. Fred Upton – who opposes federal non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people and voted in favor of constitutional amendments to ban marriage equality.
"I'm thrilled to receive the endorsement of the Victory Fund," Hoadley said. "The Victory Fund makes sure that our community has a voice at some of the most powerful tables in the country. It's clear that having representation for our community still matters when there are people like Rep. Fred Upton who vote 'no' on the Equality Act and making sure that everyone is treated fairly and equally."
Victory Fund is the latest in a string of endorsements for Hoadley. Ten labor unions, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and Attorney General Dana Nessel have endorsed his candidacy. In the first quarter since announcing, Hoadley has raised more money from donors than was raised by Rep. Upton's previous challenger in all of 2017.
"We raised over $315,000," he said. "It looks like of the Democratic challengers to incumbent members we're gonna finish in the top 10 for this quarter."
Currently, Hoadley has no serious primary opponent.
"For his entire political career, Fred Upton has worked to deny basic rights and protections to LGBTQ people – so it will be poetic justice when he is defeated by an openly gay challenger next November," said Mayor Annise Parker, president and CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund. "Few 2020 Congressional races are more important than this one – a swing seat in a swing state with a stark choice for voters. Jon aims to uplift all constituents and put real people at the center of his decision-making, while Fred Upton continues to play cynical politics with people's lives and well-being. I am confident voters will help Jon shatter a lavender ceiling on election night, not because he is gay, but because of his strong record and commitment to representing all residents of the 6th District."
Hoadley is Victory Fund's fourth federal endorsement for the 2020 election cycle. More information about the candidate and is available at victoryfund.org/ourcandidates.
