Equality PAC announces 2020 Congressional endorsements

Here are Kansas Equality PAC’s endorsements for the 2020 United States Congressional races, which include all four US House of Representatives and the United States Senate.  Those of you who have followed our process in previous years will find a new addition to this post:  We have given a brief description of why or how each candidate has qualified for our endorsement.

When making endorsements, we consider a number of factors in weighing our decisions. In order of importance, we consider:

• Voting record as a public official, and whether the candidate is a “friendly incumbent” running for reelection to their current office, who has voted for policies that are important to our mission. Issues evaluated are primarily non-discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, school bullying prevention inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity, and relationship recognition.
• Incumbent or former office holders who are running for a new office are evaluated on their historic voting record.
• Membership in Equality Kansas, or whether a candidate is openly LGBTQ;
• Responses to policy questionnaires sent to all candidates immediately after the June filing deadline.  You may view this year’s questionnaires at https://eqks.org/2020/06/11/2020-candidate-questionnaires/ ;
• Public statements regarding LGBTQ equality issues.

Most endorsements decisions are relatively simple, especially for incumbents: They either vote with us or against us.

For newcomers, their questionnaire responses are key to our decision‑making process. We also consider voting records in prior offices held when a candidate is running for a different or higher office.

While we will consider public statements made by candidates, we never base our endorsements on private assurances of support.

We do not endorse in races where we either lack information on candidates or where we believe no candidate will represent the interests of the Kansas LGBTQ population.

Our endorsements are for the benefit of our membership, the Kansas LGBTQ community, and our friends and families.  We do not consider whether a candidate has sought our endorsement, nor do we withhold endorsements at any candidate request.

No matter who you vote for, get out and vote! Nothing changes in Kansas without your active participation.

 

Barbara Bollier United States Senate Barbara Bollier (D-Mission Hills) Running for higher office Endorsed in Democratic primary and general election

Endorsement Notes: Based on voting record in Kansas House of Representatives and Kansas Senate, questionnaire responses, and history of publicly advocating for LGBTQ equality.

 

Brian Matlock United States Senate Brian Matlock (R-Kansas City) Endorsed in Republican primary election only

Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses and public statements.

 

Kali Barnett United States House of Representatives District 1 Kali Barnett (D-Manhattan) Endorsed in Democratic primary and general election

Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses and public statements.

 

Michelle De La Isla United States House of Representatives District 2 Michelle De La Isla (D-Topeka) Running for higher office Endorsed in Democratic primary and general election

Endorsement Notes: Based on record on Topeka City Council and questionnaire responses.

 

Sharice Davids United States House of Representatives District 3 Sharice L. Davids (D-Roeland Park) Current incumbent Endorsed in Democratic primary and general election

Endorsement Notes: Based on voting record in Congress, questionnaire responses, membership in Equality Kansas and being openly part of the Kansas LGBTQ community.

 

Laura Lombard United States House of Representatives District 4 Laura Lombard (D-Wichita) Endorsed in Democratic primary and general election

Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses and public statements.