“HRC was proud to mobilize our members and supporters across the Keystone State to turn out for these pro-equality champions, and we look forward to carrying this momentum to the general election in November,” said HRC Pennsylvania State Manager Allison VanKuiken. “As Donald Trump and Mike Pence ramp up their attacks on the LGBTQ community, it’s more important than ever to elect candidates who will pull the emergency brake on a harmful administration, and reject anti-equality politicians like Lou Barletta, who will only double down on their discriminatory agenda.”

In the U.S Senate race, HRC has endorsed incumbent Senator Bob Casey, who will be facing Rep. Lou Barletta in the general election. Senator Casey has long been a strong supporter of LGBTQ equality. He is the lead sponsor of the Safe Schools Improvement Act, which would require school districts to adopt codes of conduct prohibiting bullying and harassment, including on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and religion. Casey is also a co-sponsor of the Equality Act, crucial federal legislation that would finally guarantee comprehensive protections for LGBTQ people under our nation's civil rights laws. A longtime opponent of equality, Rep. Lou Barletta has earned a zero on HRC’s Congressional Scorecard each Congress since he was elected. His record includes opposing marriage equality, supporting a license to discriminate against LGBTQ people, and a lack of support for the Equality Act.

Following tonight’s primary, HRC will be examining races up and down the ballot to determine additional endorsements for the 2018 general election. In Pennsylvania, HRC has identified more than 2,005,000 “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 staff 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.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

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Paid for by Human Rights Campaign PAC (www.hrc.org), not authorized by any candidate or committee