Shawn O'Connor targets LGBT community with fundraising pitch: 'We're going to make history'
Late last year, political newcomer Shawn O'Connor signaled his intent to aggressively target the LGBT community for campaign fundraising. This week, after announcing his candidacy for the First District congressional seat held by Republican Frank Guinta, O'Connor followed up with a fundraising plea declaring his determination to become New Hampshire’s first openly LGBT federal elected official.
In December, the Bedford businessman advertised for an “LGBT-focused” deputy finance director. The campaign job ad, which was pulled from Roll Call’s website soon after it was discovered by reporter James Pindell, sought a staffer to “help the campaign develop even deeper ties in the LGBT community, track the campaign’s interactions with all LGBT donors, help plan and host events nationally, and ensure that donors fully recognize this candidate’s unique potential.”
This week’s fundraising email from O'Connor highlighted the historic nature of a campaign featuring an openly LGBT candidate. “I wanted to let you know that I am running for Congress. And when we win, we’re going to make history,” O'Connor wrote. “New Hampshire has never had an openly LGBT statewide or federal elected official before. I am determined to change that.”
“I have a tough fight ahead – and organizations that support LGBT candidates say I need to raise 3 times as much to go head-to-head with my opponent,” he continued. “That’s why I need your help.”
O'Connor referred to U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), the first openly gay senator in U.S. history, and wrote, “In order to end discrimination in all 50 states once and for all, LGBT Americans need another advocate in Washington fighting for them. I am committed to being that advocate.”
O'Connor, who recently moved from New York and has never run for political office, is the only announced candidate in the race. A self-described “grassroots coalition” is urging Executive Councilor Chris Pappas to throw his hat in the ring. Pappas is also openly gay. In 2012, he became the first openly gay candidate elected to the five-member Executive Council. Three-term Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, who held the seat before being ousted last year, has also left the door open for a rematch with Guinta.