Dan Baer could be the first openly gay man elected to the US Senate
Colorado Democrat Dan Baer is hoping to be the first out gay man in the Senate
Colorado Democrat Dan Baer Democratic challenger is hoping to be the first openly gay man elected to the US Senate.
Baer, who is hoping to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Cory Gardner in 2020, has earned a key endorsement in his Senate bid.
The candidate previously served as the US Ambassador to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe under the Obama administration, as part of a wave of LGBT+ diplomatic officials appointed by the former President.
He was fired when Donald Trump took office.
Dan Baer could make history as first out man in US Senate
LGBTQ Victory Fund, an organisation dedicated to helping improve LGBT+ representation in politics, has thrown its support behind Baer ahead of the Democratic primary.
The endorsement from Victory Fund comes after his campaign announced a massive record-breaking $1.35 million fundraising total, shattering records for LGBT+ Congressional candidates.
If elected, Baer would be the first openly gay man to ever win election to the Senate and only the third out LGBT+ Senator overall, behind fellow Democrats Tammy Baldwin and Kyrsten Sinema.
Colorado Democrat Dan Baer is hoping to be the first out gay man in the Senate
Victory Fund president Annise Parker said: “Coloradans led the country by electing America’s first openly gay governor in 2018 – and in 2020 they will make history again in sending the first out gay man to the US Senate.
“Never before has an openly LGBTQ Congressional candidate reported such strong initial fundraising numbers – an important indicator, given LGBTQ candidates for high-level office are often underestimated early in their campaigns.
“But Dan’s authentic and values-driven approach to politics is resonating with voters, and there is no better candidate to take on anti-LGBTQ incumbent Cory Gardner than a person so deeply affected by the discriminatory positions Gardner promotes.”
Democrats on course to gain Senate seat
Democrats made large gains in Colorado during the 2018 midterm elections, putting the state’s Senate seat firmly within grasp.
A poll in January showed a generic Democrat unseating Gardner, who holds anti-LGBT views, by an 8-point margin.
Baer faces eight challengers in the Democratic primary.
A statement explained: “Dan is running for Senate because he knows working people are taking all the risks these days, while big corporations are getting all the rewards. We need to reset.
“A strong America starts at home. The U.S. Senate can learn a lot from Colorado, but Senator Cory Gardner is taking his cues from Washington.
“As Senator, Dan will fight for big new ideas, to lift new voices up, and to show we’re not ready to give up on the idea that we can do better.”
