Delaware Stonewall announces 2024 election endorsements
Delaware Stonewall PAC, Delaware’s LGBTQ+ political action committee, announced its early endorsements for the 2024 election cycle during its 21st anniversary summer event held May 11 at Children’s Beach House in Lewes.
Among the more than 150 attendees were U.S. Sen. Chris Coons; U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester; Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long; Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro; State Auditor Lydia York; Speaker of the House Rep. Valerie Longhurst, D-Bear; Majority Whip Rep. Kerri Evelyn Harris, D-Dover; Sen. Sarah McBride, D-Wilmington; and many other statewide elected officials.
Coons encouraged attendees not to worry, but rather work for President Joe Biden’s re-election, and he thanked the PAC for its early endorsement of Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in January. The event’s Rainbow Hosts, designated as such for their generous contributions to the PAC, addressed the attendees and included: Blunt Rochester for Senate; Hall-Long; Navarro; New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer; Rep. Eric Morrison, D-Glasgow; and Collin O’Mara. Dwayne J. Bensing, PAC president, emceed the program.
One of the primary purposes of the event, besides raising funds the PAC uses to support LGBTQ+ and allied candidates, is to endorse campaigns. Tara Sheldon, vice president for political affairs, explained that endorsement decisions were primarily based on responses to the candidate questionnaires as well as their history of advocating for the LGBTQ+ community, prior involvement with Delaware Stonewall PAC, electability, and the likely significance of the endorsement.
Sheldon said, "In reviewing the questionnaires, we looked for candidates who not only demonstrated a broader understanding of the impact discrimination [and] lack of diversity, inclusivity and equality can have on us, especially youth, but also shared how they would work to alleviate challenges and elevate equality for all."
The following candidates were announced as endorsed by Delaware Stonewall PAC for the 2024 election cycle: President and vice president - President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. Senate - Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, U.S. Congress - Sen. Sarah McBride, statewide offices: Kyle Evans Gay - lieutenant governor, Trinidad Navarro - insurance commissioner. Endorsed candidates for state Senate by district are Russ Huxtable, SD 6; and Trey Paradee, SD 17; state House of Representatives by district Branden Fletcher Dominguez, RD 3; Terrell Williams, RD 9; Melanie Ross Levin, RD 10; DeShanna Neal, RD 13; Marty Rendon, RD 14; Valerie Longhurst, RD 15; Frank Burns, RD 21; Monica Beard, RD 22; Paul Baumbach, RD 23; Cyndie Romer, RD 25; Eric Morrison, RD 27; Bill Bush, RD 29; Tracey Miller, RD 34; and Thomas Brett, RD 41.
Endorsements will be considered on a rolling basis, and candidates not yet endorsed were encouraged to complete the PAC questionnaire for future consideration. The PAC will also make endorsement decisions prior to the November general election.
Bensing said, “We are lucky to have so many highly qualified candidates in Delaware who have shown their unwavering support for issues important to the LBGTQ+ community.” Rep. DeShanna Neal, a board member and sponsor of HB 346, discussed her legislation providing legal protections for providers and recipients of gender-affirming care as well as other important legislative advancements. Secretary Peter Schott announced plans are underway to establish a scholarship fund for LGBTQ+ graduating high school seniors wishing to pursue a career in public interest. Treasurer Leslie Calman announced that the PAC raised a record amount of nearly $20,000.
For more information about Delaware Stonewall PAC, visit DelawareStonewall.org.
