Earlier today, the Portland Community Chamber PAC announced its support for Jed Rathband in the Portland mayoral race. Now, Ethan Strimling is adding to his endorsement list with a vote of confidence announced by the DownEast Pride Alliance, saying the former state lawmaker and LearningWorks director’s “commitment and support of the gay community is without precedent.”
The alliance noted Strimling’s efforts running Dale McCormick’s 1996 congressional run, in which she came within 2,000 votes of becoming the first open lesbian in the U.S. Legislature, and also his decision to join the board of Equality Maine.
As a state senator, Strimling fought on behalf of the 2009 state legislation legalizing gay marriage, a law that was ultimately overturned by voters at the polls.
Here’s Strimling’s statement on the endorsement:
I am honored to have the confidence and support of the DEPA as we enter the final weeks of my campaign. The DEPA stands for equality, civil rights and fairness, issues that affect everyone in this city and this state. They will continue to be important as we work to bring more jobs and more economic equality to Portland.