After a 20-minute debate and secret ballot voting, Katie McGinty emerged as Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club’s preferred candidate to represent Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate.
Liberty City endorsed McGinty in a 30-9 vote at its March 23 endorsement meeting at the William Way LGBT Community Center.
McGinty will face fellow Democrats Joe Sestak and John Fetterman in the April 26 primary. The winner will challenge incumbent Republican Pat Toomey in November.
Much of the Liberty City debate centered on McGinty versus Sestak. Some felt Sestak had a stronger LGBT voting record, noting his early efforts to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which had prevented gay people from serving openly in the military. Others said they would like to advance a female candidate who has taken the time to learn about gaps in coverage for transgender health care and has achieved bipartisan success in her career in public service.
The endorsement committee called it “an embarrassment of riches in the Democratic race for Senate this year,” but noted McGinty stood out because she answered her candidate questionnaire more thoroughly than the others. Candidates seeking endorsements were asked to answer questions related to LGBT civil rights, health care and youth and seniors. Their answers are available online at www.libertycity.org/committees/endorsements/questionnaire-archive.
Other notable endorsements were made for state Rep. Brian Sims, Pennsylvania’s first elected openly gay state lawmaker, and Hillary Clinton for president. There was no debate about backing either candidate.
But, the endorsement committee did note it took its time to consider all candidates for the state congressional district that includes the Gayborhood, which Sims currently represents. Members of the committee said Sims was not recommended just because he is an out candidate; Lou Lanni is also gay and seeking to represent the district. They said Sims has a great record of constituent services.
Liberty City endorsed 18 other candidates, including Josh Shapiro, chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, for attorney general. For a full list of endorsed candidates, visit www.libertycity.org.
Equality Pennsylvania also released its list this week of 15 endorsed candidates for the state legislature. There was some overlap with Liberty City’s preferred candidates.
Both organizations endorsed state Sen. Larry Farnese. For the state House, both endorsed Sekela Coles and incumbents Sims, Michael O’Brien, Donna Bullock and Mark Cohen. For a full list of candidates endorsed by Equality Pennsylvania, visit www.equalitypa.org.