Democrats turn on congressional hopeful after 'hiding' LGBTQ+ views from Muslim voters
A Washington state Democrat hoping to unseat a longtime member of Congress is facing a revolt from within her own party, after reportedly saying she left LGBTQ+ rights off her campaign website because she feared alienating Muslim voters.Seattle Red first reported that Democrat organizations were reconsidering their endorsements of Melissa Chaudhry, a progressive Democrat challenging longtime Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., in Washington's 9th Congressional District, after comments she made during an endorsement interview with The Stranger.When asked why her website did not mention LGBTQ+ issues, Chaudhry replied, "because a lot of Muslims do not feel that way, unfortunately," according to The Stranger.The comments quickly sparked backlash from Democrat LGBTQ+ activists, with the Washington State Stonewall Democrats urging organizations to reconsider and rescind their endorsements of Chaudhry.DEMOCRATS CAUGHT ON CAMERA COACHING CANDIDATE ON HOW TO BE 'AUTHENTIC' IN 2026 MESSAGING"Her comments are disqualifying because they reveal a deliberate choice to hide her positions on LGBTQ+ rights while actively seeking Democratic endorsements," Washington State Stonewall Democrats chair Andrew Ashiofu told Fox News Digital."Anyone running as a Democrat should be bold enough to stand with our community.
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A Washington state Democrat hoping to unseat a longtime member of Congress is facing a revolt from within her own party, after reportedly saying she left LGBTQ+ rights off her campaign website because she feared alienating Muslim voters.Seattle Red first reported that Democrat organizations were reconsidering their endorsements of Melissa Chaudhry, a progressive Democrat challenging longtime Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., in Washington's 9th Congressional District, after comments she made during an endorsement interview with The Stranger.When asked why her website did not mention LGBTQ+ issues, Chaudhry replied, "because a lot of Muslims do not feel that way, unfortunately," according to The Stranger.The comments quickly sparked backlash from Democrat LGBTQ+ activists, with the Washington State Stonewall Democrats urging organizations to reconsider and rescind their endorsements of Chaudhry.DEMOCRATS CAUGHT ON CAMERA COACHING CANDIDATE ON HOW TO BE 'AUTHENTIC' IN 2026 MESSAGING"Her comments are disqualifying because they reveal a deliberate choice to hide her positions on LGBTQ+ rights while actively seeking Democratic endorsements," Washington State Stonewall Democrats chair Andrew Ashiofu told Fox News Digital."Anyone running as a Democrat should be bold enough to stand with our community. When a candidate chooses concealment instead of clarity, it raises serious concerns about honesty, integrity, and alignment with core Democratic values," he added.Ashiofu said the organization is urging groups to revisit their endorsements because "transparency and trust are foundational to the Democratic endorsement process.""When a candidate admits to hiding key civil-rights positions or tailoring their message to avoid acknowledging LGBTQ+ people, that undermines the integrity of every organization that endorsed her in good faith," he said. "Democratic groups deserve full honesty from candidates, and we believe her comments warrant a reevaluation of any support she has received."TEXAS CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE CLAIMS SHE NEVER CALLED FOR 'INTERNMENT CAMPS' AFTER PARTY LEADERS CONDEMN HERThe Washington State Stonewall Democrats specifically called on organizations that have endorsed Chaudhry, including the 11th, 33rd, 37th and 43rd District Democrats, to reconsider their support.Ashiofu also told Fox News Digital that neither Chaudhry nor her campaign has contacted the organization since the controversy became public."Our position is straightforward: LGBTQ+ rights are not optional within the Democratic Party.
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- What's the story?
- A Washington state Democrat hoping to unseat a longtime member of Congress is facing a revolt from within her own party, after reportedly saying she left LGBTQ+ rights off her campaign website because she feared alienating Muslim voters.Seattle Red first reported that Democrat organizations were reconsidering their endorsements of Melissa Chaudhry, a progressive Democrat challenging longtime Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., in Washington's 9th Congressional District, after comments she made during an endorsement interview with The Stranger.When asked why her website did not mention LGBTQ+ issues, Chaudhry replied, "because a lot of Muslims do not feel that way, unfortunately," according to The Stranger.The comments quickly sparked backlash from Democrat LGBTQ+ activists, with the Washington State Stonewall Democrats urging organizations to reconsider and rescind their endorsements of Chaudhry.DEMOCRATS CAUGHT ON CAMERA COACHING CANDIDATE ON HOW TO BE 'AUTHENTIC' IN 2026 MESSAGING"Her comments are disqualifying because they reveal a deliberate choice to hide her positions on LGBTQ+ rights while actively seeking Democratic endorsements," Washington State Stonewall Democrats chair Andrew Ashiofu told Fox News Digital."Anyone running as a Democrat should be bold enough to stand with our community.
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- 1 outlet, average source rating 6.0/10.
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- 16m ago.
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Democrats turn on congressional hopeful after 'hiding' LGBTQ+ views from Muslim voters
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