Lauren Baer, a native of the district, and former Obama Administration advisor, is running to represent the 18thCongressional District of Florida, covering Martin, St. Lucia, and Palm Beach counties. If elected, Lauren would be the third openly lesbian member of Congress and the first to be a mother in a same sex marriage.
Background and Achievements
Lauren, a foreign policy expert, worked as a senior advisor during the Obama Administration for both Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton and John Kerry and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power. There, she helped pass policies which improved human rights across the world. Lauren is beyond qualified to serve in Congress, prior to her work in the Obama administration, Lauren fought to remove money from politics. She has spent her life working with small businesses, as her family runs a local Palm Beach furniture store. Lauren knows exactly how to stand up for what is right and has a lifetime of experience working with Democrats and Republicans alike to pass necessary human rights policies.
Positions on Key Issues
- Strong supporter of protecting the environment
- Will fight for equal pay for equal work
- Strong supporter of women’s reproductive rights
- Strong supporter of civil rights and liberties, including LGBTQ+ rights
- Will fight against President Trump’s immigration policies
- Favors gun reform and banning assault weapons
Prospects & Opponents
If she wins her primary, Lauren will run against incumbent Republican Brian Mast. Brian is incredibly conservative and extreme supporter of the second amendment, one of the most important issues to Floridians in this upcoming election. He has voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act and is a major supporter of Donald Trump, voting with him 93% of the time. The district, currently rated Lean Republican, is not an impossible feat for Lauren. We have dual endorsed Lauren and her opponent, Pam Keith, in their August primary.
Endorsements
- Feminist Majority
- End Citizens United
- Equality PAC
- NARAL Pro-Choice America
- Moms Demand Action
- Victory Fund
- Florida AFL-CIO