SACRAMENTO — Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, announced its endorsement Monday of former Assemblymember Christy Smith for California’s Congressional District 27. Smith is running to unseat anti-LGBTQ+ extremist Congressman Mike Garcia.

“In the Legislature, Christy fought for civil rights and worked to make our schools safe and supportive for all students,” said Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang. “This race is a clear choice between Christy Smith, a pro-equality champion who will fight to safeguard our democracy, and Mike Garcia, an anti-LGBTQ+ extremist who voted to overturn the results of a free and fair election. We need Christy fighting for our community in Washington, DC, and we are proud to endorse her campaign.”

In the Assembly, Smith authored legislation to increase charter school transparency and voted for bills to support LGBTQ+ students. She supported numerous other pro-equality measures, including AB 2218, which created the Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund, and SB 932, which collected comprehensive data to understand how COVID-19 was affecting the LGBTQ+ community.

“To counter the persistent attacks against our LGBTQ+ community, we must elect a pro-equality House majority,” said Christy Smith. “I’m honored to earn the support of Equality California — the nation’s leading LGBTQ+ statewide advocacy organization and who have been with me since my first run for the State Assembly. In Congress, I’ll continue to stand up to hate and for policies that ensure everyone’s dignity, respect, and equality.”

For a complete list of Equality California’s 2022 endorsements, visit eqca.org/elections.