Post submitted by Ianthe Metzger, Former Press Secretary, State & Local 

Today, HRC announced its endorsement of Congressman Conor Lamb (D-PA) for election to Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District.

“Conor Lamb has spent his career in service to our country. He is a tenacious fighter, who will continue to be a champion for Pennsylvania’s working families and a strong voice in the effort to move equality forward,” said HRC Pennsylvania State Director Allison VanKuiken. “HRC is proud to endorse his candidacy for re-election and will work hard to turn out the pro-equality vote in November.”

“I'm proud to be endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign,” said Conor Lamb. “We're excited to have HRC joining our grassroots coalition in this campaign, and I look forward to working together in the fight for equal rights and opportunities for all Americans.”

As a former Marine Corps Captain and Assistant U.S. Attorney, Conor Lamb has spent his career serving his country, and fighting for equality, fairness and justice. Lamb is a strong advocate of LGBTQ equality who supports marriage equality and the Equality Act, crucial federal legislation that would finally guarantee explicit, comprehensive protections for LGBTQ people under our nation’s civil rights laws. In the general election, Lamb will face incumbent Rep. Keith Rothfus. Rothfus has scored zero ratings on every HRC Congressional Scorecard, which measure members’ of Congress support for LGBTQ equality and policies, since he was first elected in 2012.

In Pennsylvania, HRC has identified more than 2.3 million “Equality Voters” -- voters who support LGBTQ-inclusive policies, including marriage equality, equitable family law, and laws that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. HRC has prioritized investments and organizing in Pennsylvania in the 2018 cycle, and has already put four staff members and resources on the ground in the state. Last year, HRC announced a coast-to-coast campaign called HRC Rising, which represents the largest grassroots expansion in the organization’s 38-year history.