LGBTQ voters could be the key to flipping a historically Republican district in the California desert, giving Democrats the opportunity to gain a US House seat in November.
With the midterm elections two months away, Democrats are making a final push to maintain control of Congress. While a series of Biden administration wins, and issues like Roe v. Wade and Donald Trump‘s legal woes, have certainly disrupted the Red wave, it’ll still be a nail biter.
Republican Representative Ken Calvert has represented the Inland Empire region since 1993, but a redrawn political map has added Palm Springs, the self-proclaimed “gayest city in America,” to his district. He’s facing off against Democrat Will Rollins, an openly gay former federal prosecutor.
Related: Why Ron DeSantis could soon live to regret ever messing with the LGBTQ community
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Calvert scored a whopping zero on the Human Rights Campaign’s most recent scorecard on LGBTQ issues, and it’s not lost on him that he’s unpopular in Palm Springs. Many suspect that’s why he joined 46 of his Republican colleagues to vote in favor of protecting LGBTQ marriage rights in July.
But that will do little to win over liberal voters given his decades of opposing LGBTQ rights. During his career, he’s campaigned against an opponent for being gay, voted for the Defense of Marriage Act, and sought to ban same-sex marriage in California. Just last year, he voted against providing LGBTQ people with comprehensive protections against discrimination.
Voter enthusiasm has also proven strong in Palm Springs this year. 54 percent of eligible voters in the city turned out for the primary election, compared with the overall 34 percent in the district, according to California-based voter data firm Political Data Intelligence.
The numbers of registered Democrats and Republicans in the district is about even, so the race will surely be one (of many) to watch closely.
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Diplomat
I remember going alot to PS when Sonny Bono was mayor. Those were the days.
abfab
One reason why Cher left him….he was a republican shmuck and his new wife was no better.
Mack
Each election now is more important than the previous. We really have to get out the votes to protect our rights.
abfab
Gerrymandering and the Electoral College will be make sure your wishes do not come true.
ZzBomb
This is a district seat, the E.C. doesn’t apply and CA is not as terribly gerrymandered as say Kentucky, Florida and Georgia.
DSfromWeHo90069
DUDES! Everybody get on the same page here. In 2008, CA voters passed Prop 11 to form Citizen Commissions to design fair districts after each US Census. There has not been any gerrymandering since. However, we still managed to have FORTY-TWO (D)’s, and (11) (R)’s. That’s 53 total. Will be 52 next year. And it ain’t gonna look any better, Kevin McCarthy, (R-23) Bakersfield.
ZzBomb
How has he been in the house since 1993 and I never heard of him? This guy is a a bench warmer just cashing in Uncle Sam checks while I’m sure he rails against the evils of “socialism.”
Mattster
Most people can’t name more than maybe a dozen house members. If it’s not your district, most house members are pretty anonymous.
abfab
Zz
I was referring to the nation. Whether or not this Elmer Fudd we see before us wins or loses, we’re still being f*cked by this election system.
still_onthemark
Actually, in this case Calvert is the one who got gerrymandered. His previous districts were solidly Republican for 30 years and he’s never had a close election. But CA lost a seat in the census and his redrawn district has many more Democrats than he’s ever had to deal with. He kept his hometown of Corona, in the far west, but Corona has become much ‘bluer’ in recent years. So have Palm Springs and the Coachella region. I’m betting on the Democrat to win.
dbmcvey
There are some very conservative people in PS. They’re dying out, but they’re there.
bachy
It’s time for those cozy PS f@gs to get off their happy hour azzes and take to the streets!
dbmcvey
Although, the 2 places you’re bound to find gay Republicans are PS and Beverly Hills.
abfab
Palm Desert and Cathedral City and the gross golf courses surrounding the meth factories. Big time Republican nesting places. Lots of Ginni Thomas types…..big fat pearls.
abfab
SAVE JOSHUA TREE! PLEASE!
Flip41st
Calvert also voted against certifying Biden’s election, said on TV that Jan. 6th insurrectionists should be set free (!), voted against a women’s right to choose and is against common sense gun background checks & red flag laws. He’s corrupt as the day is long, using inside info for personal gain. Better yet, Will Rollins is a solid candidate. Former Assistant US Prosecutor, pro-choice and takes NO PAC money!
storm45701
Why can’t we get an article on the actual gay candidate, Will Rollins?
Ronbo
Why? The tactic of “attack” mode is easier for both political parties because if they make specific promises they are expected to actually change things and WORK for change. Disaster capitalism is paralleled by disaster politics. Create a disaster and reap the profits. For example:
Don’t enshrine women’s rights into law KNOWING that their twin party has repeatedly and consistently pushed anti-abortion laws. Then, use the resulting disaster to raise money. (Extortion). Hopefull, the Democratic party will stop playing the extortion game long enough to actually DO something this time around. Charlie Brown and Lucy and the football.
The IRA is a start. Unfortunately, it is just a shell of what was promised… filled with oil/corporate giveaway. Do we need to give oil companies MORE money to invest in hydrogen when producing “clean” hydrogen RELEASES all the carbon into the atmosphere!?! Sweet give-away if you can get it!
“No one’s standard of living will change, nothing would fundamentally change.” Government will continue subsidizing the rich – and the climate change will still be around for future give-aways. Neoliberalism is the silent killer that has infected both parties – for-profit privatization, deregulation, globalization, free trade, monetarism, austerity, and reductions in government spending in order to increase the role of the private sector in the economy and society.[
Cam
You have to love what liars and how cynical these Republicans are.
He voted against LGBTQ rights for years, then the SECOND it might hurt his election chances he turns around and votes for an LGBTQ bill.
Guess those sincerely held beliefs weren’t so sincere after all.
Just another lying Republican bigot.
abfab
lying Republican bigot, I love it
How very redundant and how very true. Miserable little brats is what they are….kill joys.
Kangol2
He’s a typical right-wing RepuQ and it’s time for him to be voted out. I just hope the Democrat who replaces him isn’t a typical neoliberal sweet-talker who does more for his wealthy backers and zilch for his constituents! Representation alone isn’t enough!
skyreader
Provincetown is the gayest city in America, perhaps the world. Trump got just 6 percent of Ptown’s vote in 2020. How did Trump do in Palm Springs? Ptown would vote 100 percent against a rep like Calvert. Remember, Ptown’s district had Gerry Studds, the first out gay man in House history, as its rep for many years.
abfab
How in the world could gay men in PS have time for politics? Or reading a newspaper? Or voting? It would take precious time away from taking selfies of their oh so perfect oiled and tanned bodies, and getting botox injections.
CNY1983
wait, that guy is not gay? thats the gayest face ive ever seen in my life. give me a break, if that guy isnt in ecstasy with 2 dicks in his mouth and one up his asshole then i’ll eat my hat.