This year’s endorsements come from the reality that the Republican Party in Pennsylvania has become so extreme and so aligned with the Tea Party, we need to support our Democratic candidates to ensure progress. All one has to do is look at Republican nominee for U.S. Senate Tom Smith, who personally started his own Tea Party chapter. The Tea Party policies are not only anti-LGBT equality and anti-women’s health, but they would add to the burdens of the middle class and those less fortunate in the commonwealth. We strongly endorse Bob Casey for re-election, if for only one point: We cannot allow the U.S. Senate to fall into the hands of the Republican Party. Doing so could end hopes for repealing the Defense of Marriage Act and any chance of getting the Employment Nondiscrimination Act to the floor. As for the presidential race, President Obama is the most LGBT-friendly leader in the history of the United States. You should be ashamed to vote for anyone else. When it comes to the U.S. House of Representatives, we in Philadelphia are lucky to have Robert Brady, Chaka Fattah and Allyson Schwartz, all of whom have a 100-percent voting record on our issues, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Unfortunately, Republicans Mike Fitzpatrick, Jim Gerlach and, most disappointing, Pat Meehan, have not proven to be supporters of equality; therefore, we are supporting their opponents Kathryn Boockvar, Manan Trivedi and George Badey. The most exciting race is for that of attorney general. Kathleen Kane is a proven prosecutor who believes in equality, and would be the first woman to be elected attorney general in our state. It is time to put a check on the guys in Harrisburg, and we fully endorse her. Treasurer Rob McCord has been a beacon of equality. He not only supports LGBT rights, but has been in the vanguard of multi-culturalism in the commonwealth. As for the state legislature, we are supporting the re-election of Sens. Larry Farnese and Daylin Leach, who have proven to be among our strongest allies. In the House, Reps. James Roebuck, Kevin Boyle and Brendan Boyle also have our support, as does challenger William Dunbar. Again, we cannot endore a single Republican in the state legislature races. Brian Sims is poised to become our first out state lawmaker. He could be joined by up to three fellow LGBT candidates: Chris Dietz, Kelly McEntee and Jeffrey Dahlander, all of whom have our strong backing. Delaware could also see the election of its first out lawmakers. Andrew Staton and Marie Mayor are running for Delaware Senate and House seats, respectively, and PGN supports both of their candidacies.