Log Cabin Republicans PAC announces third wave of 2016 endorsements
Washington, D.C. — Thursday, Log Cabin Republicans announced its Board of Directors has issued the third wave of endorsements for its federal political action committee (PAC) in the 2016 election cycle. The endorsed candidates are all incumbent Republican members of the United States Senate.
“As members of the greatest deliberative body in the country, these endorsed United States Senators represent some of the most important voices in support of LGBT freedom,” Log Cabin Republicans President Gregory T. Angelo stated. “Three of them made history as the first GOP voices to stand out in support of marriage equality in the Senate, all of them made history with their courageous votes in favor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and all of them will receive support from LCR PAC in their campaigns for reelection.”
The endorsed candidates are:
Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)
Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL)
Senator John McCain (R-AZ)
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
Senator Rob Portman (R-OH)
Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA)
The endorsed candidates responded to their endorsement by the LGBT conservative group:
“I’m honored to accept the endorsement of Log Cabin Republicans and grateful for their partnership as we work toward our shared goal of a strong national defense, fiscal responsibility, and individual freedoms for all Granite Staters and Americans.” —Senator Kelly Ayotte
“I am proud to receive the endorsement from the Log Cabin Republicans for my work and advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ community in Illinois. As the first Senate Republican to co-sponsor the Equality Act, I understand that life comes down to who you love and who loves you back, and government has no place in-between.” —Senator Mark Kirk
“I’m grateful to have the support of the Log Cabin Republicans. This organization does great work in supporting fiscally conservative values while championing equality through policy. I look forward to working to continuing to work with them in the U.S. Senate.” —Senator John McCain
“Part of what makes Alaska great is our diversity and acceptance of others. Equal rights are only equal if they apply to all Americans and every Alaskan. That is why I value and appreciate the support of the Log Cabin Republicans. I am grateful for this endorsement and the many contributions that the Log Cabin Republicans are making to their community and our state.” —Senator Lisa Murkowski
“I am honored that my positive vision for the future and pro-growth policies for better wages and more jobs have attracted support from all corners of Ohio as well as from the Log Cabin Republicans. I’ve been an independent voice for Ohio, and I’m proud of my record of finding common ground and delivering results for Ohio workers and their families,” —Senator Rob Portman
“My goals are economic opportunity and personal freedom and security at home, and strong American leadership abroad. I know the Log Cabin Republicans share those goals, and I welcome their support.” —Senator Pat Toomey
Senator Kirk has also been endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). In March, when it made the endorsement, Slate.com reported tht HRC President Chad Griffin praised Kirk for con-sponsoring the Equality Act. Griffin said, ““Senator Kirk’s leadership on the Equality Act sends a strong message that fairness and equality are bipartisan values. Senator Kirk has fought for us, and we are proud to support him in his re-election campaign.”
Some LGBT liberals were upset by the HRC endorsement, but Mark Joseph Stern, writing on Slate.com, said, “Some liberals, including DailyKos’ David Nir, interpret this endorsement as a cynical ploy to draw in more Republican donors. That may be part of the calculus, but I lean toward taking HRC at its word. I assume it is playing the long game here: By standing by Kirk, the organization hopes to send a signal to other Republican legislators that an occasional gesture toward LGBTQ equality will earn them the group’s loyalty and clout.
“There may be room for such a strategy in the House of Representatives, and in state legislatures—and, in other years, in the Senate. It is a political fact that LGBTQ rights will be permanently stymied if Democrats are the party of equality and Republicans are the party of anti-gay animus. As a lobbying organization, HRC needs to maintain a broad bipartisan stance, and to generously reward Republicans who break from the party line. That’s how gay rights advocates won marriage equality in New York—by persuading a few key Republican state senators to defect with the promise of future financial support.”
The Gayly does not make endorsements in political races..
Copyright 2016 The Gayly – October 21, 2016 @ 8:15 a.m.