Scott Powers
Democrat Lauren Baer has received the backing of the Pride Fund to End Gun Violence PAC, one of three LGBTQ congressional candidates nationally to get that backing Monday, the organization announced.
Baer, of Palm Beach Gardens, is running in Florida’s 18th Congressional District. She has a Democratic primary ahead of her against Pam Keith, also of Palm Beach Gardens. They want a shot at incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Mast of Palm City.
“I am honored to have the endorsement of the Pride Fund to End Gun Violence and look forward to working with them to advance their twin aims of sensible gun policy and LGBT equality,” Baer, who is openly gay, stated in a news release issued by the organization.
The Pride Fund was begun in 2016 after the massacre at Orlando’s popular gay nightclub, Pulse, and has grown into one of the largest gun-control political action committees in the country, combining its focuses on gun legislation and protections and support for the LGBTQ community.
Besides Baer, the group announced endorsements of Democrat Chis Pappas in New Hampshire and Matt Heinz in Arizona.
Baer also got another big, national backing Sunday evening when comedian, actress, political activist Rosie O’Donnell threw support behind her with a tweet urging people nationally to go to ActBlue, the Democrats’ national fundraising portal, and contribute to her campaign. O’Donnell’s tweet went out to more than 1 million followers on Twitter.
The Pride Fund backs up its endorsements with financial contributions and with volunteer help on campaigns it is backing.
“We endorsed these exceptional candidates because of their demonstrated steadfast commitment to the shared ideals of so many Americans: equality for all citizens, and a work ethic that values the voices of constituents over manipulation by the gun lobby,” Jason Lindsay, executive director of Pride Fund to End Gun Violence, stated in the news release. “The vast majority of New Hampshire, Florida, and Arizona residents support commonsense gun reforms, and they deserve representation that will fight for their values over those of corporate gun manufacturers. We’re proud to stand with Baer, Pappas, and Heinz and look forward to working with them when they are elected to make American communities safer from senseless gun violence.”
