Openly gay Waleska resident Adam Wynn has announced he is running for U.S. House of Representatives in Georgia’s 11th Congressional District. If elected, Wynn would be the first openly LGBT person ever elected to Congress in Georgia (Cathy Woolard ran in Georgia’s 4th Congressional District in 2004 but lost in the primary).
If he makes it through a Democratic primary, the internet software professional and entrepreneur will have tough sledding against incumbent Republican Congressman Barry Loudermilk, who will seek a third term in the heavily Republican district. Loudermilk beat Democrat Don Wilson by 35 points in the 2016 contest and faced no Democratic opposition in the general election in 2014. And 11th Congressional District voters favored Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton by 25 points in last November’s presidential election.
“I am running for Congress to bring real representation to GA11,” Wynn, a Democrat, said in a news release. “I’m tired of politicians who say they’ll represent us in Washington, only to have them rubber stamp the agendas of big corporations and lobbyists while ignoring the needs of those who sent them there. It is time we have a representative who is in touch with people all across our district, and understand the struggles we face every day. I intend to win this election and be a leader in Washington, DC, not a follower. My friends and neighbors across this district deserve nothing less.”
The political newcomer lists fighting for LGBT protections by passing the Equality Act as one of his campaign issues, in addition to protecting the environment, restoring net neutrality, raising the minimum wage and fighting for a woman’s right to choose, among other issues. The Equality Act would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include protections that ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and sex. However, it has stalled so far in a majority Republican Congress.
“I encourage people to visit my website and see what I’m about,” the political newcomer said. “I’m not another outdated politician who is seeking to retire in the U.S. House of Representatives. I am someone with the capability and stamina to stand up and fight for our rights and our future.”
There are currently seven openly LGBT people in Congress, and Wynn becomes the eighth openly LGBT non-incumbent congressional candidate this year in what is being seen by many as an anti-Trump political wave. To win control of the House in 2018, Democrats need 24 seats. To win control of the Senate, Democrats need just two thanks to the surprise victory of Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) in the special election late last year.