From Baltimore Gay Life Online

Incumbents, Challengers and LGBT Issues:
A Guide to Maryland's Federal-Level Races

By Jason Young

October 29, 2004

In any given year, Congress wades through thousands of votes, bills and hearings. But only a handful of those actions stand out as issues and concerns specific to LGBT Americans.

Similarly, few LGBT issues are discussed in any detail on the campaign trail. No doubt 2004 will be noted as a flashpoint over same-sex marriage. But by and large candidates' stands on other key issues remain unarticulated in the campaigns - on matters such as hate crimes legislation and employment non-discrimination.

All eight members of the Maryland delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for reelection on Nov. 2. So is one of Maryland's two U.S. senators: Barbara A. Mikulski. All nine Maryland federal elected officials face challengers this year, though the races are not close, according to political observers and recent polls.

Here are the incumbents, the challengers, and some issues of particular interest to LGBT voters and allies:

FOR U.S. SENATE

Sen. Mikulski (D) v. state Sen. E.J. Pipkin (R)

After each congressional session, the Human Rights Campaign, the country's largest LGBT group, rates members of Congress for their votes and stands on LGBT issues.

After several years of perfect scores from HRC, Mikulski slid to 77 percent this session. She lost points for failing to cosponsor the Permanent Partners Immigration Act (S. 1510), a bill that would provide same-sex partners of U.S. citizens the same immigration benefits that legal spouses of U.S. residents have. HRC also docked her points for failing to adopt a written policy banning employment discrimination in her office on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. She did, however, score points for opposing the Federal Marriage Amendment, as well as for supporting a sexual orientation- and gender identity-inclusive hate crimes bill; the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA); and a bill to help people living with HIV access Medicaid benefits. HRC has endorsed Mikulski.

Pipkin, who represents several counties east of the Chesapeake Bay in the Maryland General Assembly, has not been scored by HRC. But The Baltimore Sun, in endorsing Mikulski over Pipkin, wrote: "[Pipkin]'s service in Annapolis has so far been undistinguished, though, limited by a doctrinaire conservatism that doesn't work well in the overwhelmingly Democratic legislature. Mr. Pipkin promises the same approach on social issues in Washington, where he would have more company in support of such causes as banning gay marriage."

FOR U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

FIRST DISTRICT

Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest (R) v. Kostas Alexakis (D)

Gilchrest scored a 44 percent in HRC's most recent evaluation, which is consistent with his mixed LGBT-rights record over the past several years. He lost points for failing to back ENDA, hate crimes legislation, an HIV bill, and LGBT partner-friendly immigration legislation. But he scored points in part for voting against the Federal Marriage Amendment.

Alexakis is an immigrant from Greece, a businessman, and a self-described "fiscal conservative" and "social moderate." On his Web site, he says, "Since coming to America I have been committed to supporting civil rights and equal protection under the law regardless of race, gender, religion, age, disability, national origin or sexual orientation and I will continue that commitment in Congress."

SECOND DISTRICT

Rep. C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger (D) v. Jane Brooks (R)

This is Ruppersberger's first term in Congress, and he received a 77 percent from HRC. Notably, he lost points in part for failing to back ENDA, distinguishing him as the only Democrat in the Maryland delegation not to support the job anti-bias bill. As of press time, Ruppersberger did not return calls from Gay Life to his congressional and campaign offices seeking clarification on his stand. He did score points from HRC by taking a variety of other LGBT-supportive stands, including voting against the Federal Marriage Amendment. He has secure HRC's endorsement.

Newcomer Brooks describes herself as "Citizen Jane Brooks." In an open letter on her campaign Web site, she describes her bid to unseat the incumbent as an "effort to restore Traditional American Family Values." She also says she "believes many of the programs the government created has encouraged immoral behavior."

THIRD DISTRICT

Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin (D) v. Robert P. Duckworth (R)

After several years of perfect scores from HRC, Cardin slid to 77 percent for the 108th session of Congress. He lost points for not cosponsoring the Permanent Partners Immigration Act and for not adopting a written non-discrimination policy for his office. He scored points for opposing the Federal Marriage Amendment, as well as for supporting hate crimes, ENDA, and the HIV-Medicaid bill. HRC has endorsed Cardin.

Duckworth is clerk of the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County and lost bids for Congress in 1990 and 1992. In a Project Vote Smart survey, Duckworth said of his current legislative priorities: "On gay marriages I'm a traditionalist and believe in marriage only between a man and a woman and for the main purpose of bearing, nurturing, and protecting children." He also said he would support neither hate crimes legislation nor ENDA.

FOURTH DISTRICT

Rep. Albert R. Wynn (D) v. John McKinnis (R)

For years Wynn has maintained a perfect HRC voting record and is one of three Maryland Congressmen to do so for the current session. HRC has endorsed Wynn.

McKinnis, who runs an information technology company, has not publicized his stands on LGBT issues.

FIFTH DISTRICT

Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D) v. Brad Jewitt (R)

Hoyer is seeking his thirteenth term in Congress. Since November 2002, he has served as the Democratic Whip, the second-ranking position among House Democrats. He earned a 100 percent from HRC for the current session, as well as the organization's endorsement.

U.S. Marine Corps Reservist Jewitt says on his campaign Web site: "I will support marriage between a man and a woman because I believe it is right, it reflects the traditions of this country, and it represents the will of the people. I will also stand with President Bush and 118 congressmen in their support of the Federal Marriage Amendment. . I will take a stand for marriage and defend America's right to establish the will of the people, not the will of activist judges." In a voter survey, he said he does not support hate crimes legislation or ENDA.

SIXTH DISTRICT

Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett (R) v. Kenneth T. Bosley (D)

Bartlett is the only congressman from Maryland to receive a zero percent from HRC, which is in keeping with low scores he has received from the organization for years now. Bartlett is a key backer of the Federal Marriage Amendment.

Bosley is making his third bid for Congress. He has not publicized his views on LGBT-rights issues.

SEVENTH DISTRICT

Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D) v. Tony Salazar (R)

Cummings received a 100 percent from HRC for the current term and has for the past several years.

Salazar, who serves as general counsel for Provident Bank, answered in a voter survey that he is not a supporter of the hate crimes bill or ENDA.

EIGHTH DISTRICT

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D) v. Chuck Floyd (R)

This is Van Hollen's first term in Congress, and he received an 88 percent from HRC. He only lost points for failing to cosponsor the LGBT partner-friendly immigration bill. He supported every other HRC position on the issues and won its endorsement.

Floyd, a real estate entrepreneur, laid out a mixed stance on LGBT issues in a voter survey: he said he supports hate crimes legislation, but not ENDA. On his campaign Web site, he says he will "protect the institution of marriage."