Out Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney wins battle to be head of House Dems’ campaign arm

Representative Sean Patrick Maloney Congressional Portrait
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Out Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY) has won the battle to be the next chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. It will be the first time an out gay man has served as the chair of the House Democrats’ campaign arm.

The position will be a challenge for the charismatic congressman. He’ll be tasked with defending the party’s majority in the chamber during a midterm election.

Related: U.S. Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney marries longtime partner

Historically, the midterms have gone badly for the President’s party if they hold the majority. In 2018, for example, the nation gave Democrats the majority while the GOP held the Senate and presidency. In 2010, the midterm election went badly for Democrats during former President Barack Obama’s presidency and Republicans retained control until 2018.

Responsible for recruiting potential winning candidates, fundraising for the caucus, and negotiating a course between progressive and moderate demands, Maloney will also need to modernize the office and diversify the staff.

“There is enormous power in Congressional Democrats choosing an out gay man to serve as chair, especially after an election cycle where anti-LGBTQ attacks on candidates became the norm,” Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, said.

“In 2020, the National Republican Campaign Committee operationalized anti-LGBTQ rhetoric to a new level…

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