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Delaware Stonewall is proud to endorse one of their own, State Senator Sarah McBride, in her historic effort to become the sole congressional representative in the United States Congress.

Delaware Stonewall PAC, which for the past 20 years has advocated on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community, is proud to endorse one of our own, State Senator Sarah McBride, in her historic effort to become Delaware’s sole congressional representative in the United States Congress.

Sen. McBride’s leadership in Delaware has shown our state first-hand the value of working together despite our differences. As a state senator, McBride has passed legislation expanding access to healthcare, implementing mental health and media literacy education in public schools, and advancing climate-conscious technologies. In her ambitious first term, Sen. McBride successfully shepherded the landmark Healthy Delaware Families Act into law, providing paid family and medical leave to workers throughout the state. In her campaign, she has demonstrated her commitment to curbing gun violence, ensuring that the economy works for the working class, and guaranteeing access to reproductive healthcare, all issues that disproportionately impact the LGBTQ+ community and people of color that Delaware Stonewall PAC represents.

We have no doubt that Sen. McBride will imitate her early successes as a legislator in the Delaware General Assembly within the halls of Congress. She has demonstrated a remarkable ability to work with others to bring communities together and enact legislation that recognizes the inherent worth of everyone.

While national discourse regarding the rights of LGBTQ+ community has been toxic, Sen. McBride’s historic candidacy to become the very first trans member of Congress is a beacon of hope for young Delawareans and other LGBTQ+ youth across the country. Sen. McBride’s candidacy is a shining example of the First State’s promise for all to live out their full potential. She possesses precisely the skills we need in Congress. Delaware Stonewall PAC is proud to enthusiastically endorse an eminently qualified candidate, a fierce advocate, and a friend, to represent us like no other person could. That’s why Delaware Stonewall PAC is endorsing Senator McBride and we implore all Delawareans to vote for her in 2024.

DELAWARE STONEWALL PAC

DELAWARE STONEWALL PAC
PO Box 1024
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Tara Sheldon 302-604-4316 / tara@tarasheldon.com

DELAWARE STONEWALL PAC HONORS LOCAL PIONEERS; ENDORSES CANDIDATES

Delaware Stonewall PAC held its 18th annual “Summer Funder” at Shrimpy’s Bar and Grill in Rehoboth on August 13, 2022.  A political action committee whose mission is to help elect candidates who support equality, fairness, and opportunity for all, Delaware Stonewall PAC honored local pioneers and announced the endorsement of candidates for the 2022 election cycle.

The event was attended by over 130 residents from Kent, Sussex, and New Castle counties and featured a keynote by State Senator Marie Pinkney.  Awards to civil and human rights pioneers were presented to Murray Archibald, co-founder of CAMP Rehoboth, C. Dixon Osburn, who co-founded the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) which fought to overturn “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and Charlotte King, founder of Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice (SDARJ).   “I was delighted to see the terrific turnout, which I think is a reflection of how critical your mission of promoting acceptance and equality is during this unsettled time in our nation’s history. Keep up the great work! I am proud to stand should-to-shoulder with you – not just as an ally, but as an advocate!” said Trey Paradee, Delaware State Senate, 17th District.

Many state elected officials were present, including presenters Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall Long, and State Treasurer, Colleen Davis.  “Your endorsement means so much to me and I am proudly announcing it to our voters! It truly is a badge of honor to have received your seal of approval. I look forward to a continued partnership. I am committed to using my platform to advocate for our LGBTQ+ communities,” said Davis, State Treasurer.

Endorsement from Delaware Stonewall is based on a candidate’s history of voting for issues that align with their mission statement, who have demonstrated a commitment to support their mission, and/or have responded positively to the candidate survey.  The PAC’s Vice President, Tara Sheldon, stated “We take these commitments seriously, and believe the candidates we endorse will, when elected, work towards the goals we have set out for protecting the lives of LGBTQ+ citizens of all ages.”  Cyndie Romer, endorsed for RD 25, stated “Thank you so much for the endorsement and financial support. I do not take these endorsements lightly and will aggressively fight for the LGBTQ+ community,”

Delaware Stonewall PAC endorses the following candidates for the Primaries, September 13th:

State Auditor Lydia York
New Castle County District 1 Brandon Toole
SD 6 Russ Huxtable
SD 14 Kyra Hoffner
RD 1 Shane’ Darby
RD 6 Becca Cotto
RD 13 DeShanna Neal
RD 18 Sophie Phillips
RD 25 Cyndie Romer
RD 26 Madinah Wilson-Anton
RD 27 Eric Morrison
RD 32 Kerri Evelyn Harris

 

General Election Endorsements (to be updated following the Primaries): 

 

Congress Lisa Blunt Rochester
Delaware State Treasurer Colleen C Davis
Kent County Sheriff Brian E. Lewis
SD 1 Sarah McBride
SD 13 Marie Pinkney
RD 23 Paul Baumbach
SD 5 Kyle Evans Gay
SD 7 Spiros Mantzavinos
SD 8 David P. Sokola
SD 11 Bryan Townsend
SD 17 Trey Paradee
RD 4 Keegan Worley
RD 9 Terrell A. Williams
RD 20 Stell Parker Selby
RD 21 Frank Burns
RD 39 Susan Clifford

 

Dwayne Bensing, the organization’s President, stated “We were very encouraged so many candidates sought our endorsement and committed to serving our broad, intersectional, community. We look forward to announcing further endorsements after the Primary and working with these candidates and other elected allies to pass inclusive, pro-LGBTQ+ equality legislation.”

Candidates who wish to be considered for Stonewall endorsement are invited to complete the Candidate Survey.  Further information about Delaware Stonewall PAC and current list of the candidates can be found at https://delawarestonewall.org.

Tara Sheldon & Murray ArchibaldCharlotte King & Leslie Ledogar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lydia York, Sen. Marie PinkneyChristopher Howland & Kathy Hughes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DELAWARE STONEWALL PAC

Pictured:

Tara Sheldon & Murray Archibald

Charlotte King & Leslie Ledogar

Lydia York, Sen. Marie Pinkney

Christopher Howland & Kathy Hughes

Front row: Peter Schott, Sen Marie Pinkney, DeShanna Neal

Back row: Erik Raser-Schramm, Tara Sheldon, Dwayne Bensing, C. Dixon Osburn, Leslie Ledogar, Colleen Davis, Scott Strickler

 

2021 Board Members

At its annual membership meeting Delaware Stonewall PAC, a Political Action Committee dedicating to supporting equality for the LGBTQ community, elected several new members to its Board. Erik Raser-Schramm, former  Chair of the Delaware Democratic Party, was elected as Political Vice-President.  Also added to the Board were Dwayne Bensing, ACLU legal staff member, and Anthony Purcell, a clinical social worker.

These three join, Peter Schott, reelected Chair, Scott Strickler, Treasurer and At-Large members Tara Sheldon and Martin Rendon.

In addition to the elections, members discussed legislative issues which the organization will pursue including preventing insurance companies from discriminating against persons who use PrEP, and eliminating a “gay panic” defense.  The PAC will also make efforts to make forced conversion therapy by parents into a crime of child abuse, and will work to pass legislation to protect transgender children in schools, and work towards allowing non-binary drivers licenses.

Schott said, “Following our election success last year including the election of 3 members of the LGBT community we are more confident that we can move forward with legislation which further protects the rights of our community.”

DE Stonewall PAC, YES image

We are very excited about the election results especially since we went from zero LGBTQ members of the State Legislature to three with the election of Sarah McBride, Marie Pinkney, and Eric Morrison. That with the addition of several other new forward-thinking individuals should help us with our expected legislative agenda for 2021. It turns out that 86% of our endorsed candidates won.

We believe that a lot of our success this past year comes from your work and support, and we certainly want to thank you. Hopefully, our annual meeting will take place around January 30th, but of course with everyone’s safety in mind, this is subject to change. At that meeting, we will be electing officers and recommending our legislative agenda which we will pursue during the next legislative session. You must be a member to vote, so sign up at www.delawarestonewall.org/join-us to contribute.

We are looking for people who are willing to spend a few hours a month of commitment on our Board. The Board should reflect the diversity which exemplifies our State, so if you are interested, please contact Peter Schott, Delaware Stonewall PAC President at dc2de@aol.com, or 302 827-2811.

Delaware Stonewall PAC endorses candidates

GENERAL ELECTION ENDORSEMENTS

Since the process has begun, Delaware Stonewall PAC urges you to vote for the candidates listed below:

PRESIDENT/VICE PRESIDENT- JOE BIDEN/KAMALA HARRIS

US SENATE-             CHRIS COONS
US HOUSE-              LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER
GOVERNOR-           JOHN CARNEY
LT GOVERNOR-     BETHANY HALL-LONG
INS. COMM-            TRINIDAD NAVARRO

STATE SENATE

1-    SARAH MCBRIDE
5-    KYLE EVANS GAY
7-    SPIROS MANZAVINOS
8-    DAVID SOKOLA
9-    JOHN WALSH
12-   NICOLE POORE
13-   MARIE PINKNEY
15-   JACI HUGG

STATE HOUSE

1-    NNAMDI CHUCKWUOCHA
2-   STEPHANIE BOLDEN
3-   SHERRY DORSEY-WALKER
4-   GERALD BRADY
5-   KENDRA JOHNSON
6-   DEBRA HEFFERNAN
7-   LARRY LAMBERT
8-   SHERE’A  MOORE
9-   DEBBIE HARRINGTON
10-  SEAN MATTHEWS
12-  KRISTA GRIFFITH
13-  LARRY MITCHELL
14-  PETE SCHWARTZKOPF
15-  VALERIE LONGHURST
16-  FRANKLIN COOKE
17-  MELISSA MINOR-BROWN
18-  DAVID BENTZ
19-  KIM WILLIAMS
21-  STEPHANIE BARRY
22-  LUANN D’AGOSTINO
23-  PAUL BAUMBACH
24-   ED OSIENSKI
25-   JOHN KOWALKO
26-   MADINAH WILSON-ANTON
27-   ERIC MORRISON
31-    SEAN LYNN
32-   ANDRIA BENNETT
33-   RACHEL KING
34-   DARRYNN HARRIS

Assistance wanted for Delaware Stonewall PAC Endorsed Candidates

At its annual meeting held in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware Stonewall PAC elected its leadership and welcomed newly elected and seasoned elected State office holders.

Re-elected to the Board were Peter Schott as President, Mitch Crane, Political Vice-President, and Jeffrey Davis as Secretary.  The newly elected Treasurer is David Mangler. Scott Strickler and Vincent Ryan were elected to be At-Large members.

The members also heard from several elected officials including Kathy Jennings, Attorney General, Kathy McGuiness, State Auditor, State Senator Trey Paradee and State Representatives Sherry Dorsey Walker and Pete Schwartzkopf who is Speaker of the House.

  • Elected officials attending
    State Senator Trey Paradee, Attorney General Kathy Jennings, State Rep. Sherry Dorsey Walker, State Auditor Kathy McGuiness, and Speaker of House Pete Schwartzkopf
  • Board members
    At-Large member Scott Strickler, Political Vice President Mitch Crane, At-Large member Vince Ryan, Secretary Jeffrey Davis, President Peter Schott, and Treasurer David Mangler

Delaware Stonewall PAC

We had a great many successes in the election on Tuesday.

Of the 37 candidates we endorsed 31 won. That is a remarkable 83.8%.

We are particularly pleased to have Laura Sturgeon join the Senate after defeating a long time opponent of LGBT legislation.

I also point out that 4 of the 6 candidates who were defeated live in a very red Sussex where not any of the Statewide candidates could garner a majority of votes, even here most of our candidates came close to winning.

Peter Schott,
President

Delaware Stonewall PAC

Only one week to go until Election Day, November 6, 2018.  It is vital that we get out the vote and support the candidates supported by the Delaware Stonewall PAC.

Here are the candidates we have endorsed:

US Senate                       Tom Carper

US House of Reps.          Lisa Blunt Rochester

Attorney General              Kathleen Jennings

Auditor                              Kathleen McGuiness

Treasurer                          Colleen Davis

Senate District 4               Laura Sturgeon
Senate District 6               David Baker
Senate District 10             Stephanie Hansen
Senate District 11             Bryan Townsend
Senate District 17             Trey Paradee

House District 6                Debra Heffernan
House District 8                Quinn Johnson
House District 9                Monique Johns
House District 10              Sean Matthews
House District 12              Krista Griffith
House District 14              Pete Schwartzkopf
House District 15              Valerie Longhurst
House District 19              Kimberly Williams
House District 20              John Bucchioni
House District 21              Mike Ramone
House District 22              Guillermina Gonzalez
House District 24              Ed Osienski
House District 25             John Kowalko
House District 26             John Viola
House District 31             Sean Lynn
House District 32             Andria Bennett
House District 36             Don Allen

Sussex Council District 4  Paulette Rappa

Assistance wanted for Delaware Stonewall PAC Endorsed Candidates

Exactly one month from today Delawareans will be going to the polls to elect its candidates. It is vital that we get LGBT supportive candidates elected.

We urge you to work in every way possible, making phone calls, contributing funds, committing to work Election Day to elect these Stonewall endorsed candidates.

US Senate                            Tom Carper

US House of Reps.            Lisa Blunt Rochester

Attorney General              Kathleen Jennings

Auditor                               Kathleen McGuiness

Treasurer                            Colleen Davis

 

Senate District 4              Laura Sturgeon

Senate District 6              David Baker

Senate District 10            Stephanie Hansen

Senate District 11            Bryan Townsend

Senate District 17            Trey Paradee

 

House District 6               Deborah Heffernan

House District 8               Quinn Johnson

House District 9               Monique Johns

House District 10             Sean Matthews

House District 12             Krista Griffith

House District 14             Pete Schwartzkopf

House District 15             Valerie Longhurst

House District 19             Kimberly Williams

House District 20             John Bucchioni

House District 21             Mike Ramone

House District 22             Guillermina Gonzalez

House District 24             Ed Osienski

House District 25             John Kowalko

House District 26             John Viola

House District 31             Sean Lynn

House District 32             Andria Bennett

House District 36             Don Allen

 

Sussex Council District 4        Paulette Rappa

 

Delaware Stonewall PAC

Delaware Stonewall PAC congratulates the winners of Thursday’s Primary elections.

We are particularly proud to say that about 2/3 of our endorsed candidates won including, Tom Carper for US Senator, Kathleen Jennings for Attorney General, and Kathy McGuiness as our Auditor of Accounts.

Based on questionnaire responses from most of the winning candidates, we believe we have strong support to advance the causes of the LGBT community going forward.

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