The region will get to meet one such rising star on Saturday, August 28th, when Jim Stork comes to Rehoboth for a fundraiser to support his efforts to become the fourth openly gay Member of the U.S. Congress.

Stork, a candidate for Florida’s 22nd District (which includes Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach) hopes to unseat Clay Shaw, the Republican incumbent who has held the seat for 23 years. Shaw only has a 33% positive voting record on gay issues according to the Human Rights Campaign.

Stork has never seemed afraid of challenging long-time incumbents like Shaw. In 2002, Stork defeated a 14-year incumbent to become mayor of Wilton Manors, Florida, a community that boasts one of the nation’s highest per capita populations of lesbian and gay couples. He captured nearly 60 percent of the vote in an election that saw the largest voter turnout in the city’s history. During Stork’s term as mayor, Wilton Manors experienced extraordinary investment in the community, saw property values increase as an influx of couples and families sought to reside in the city, established a Main Street neighborhood program, and attracted a more diverse population.

Stork’s candidacy has implications for the nation’s lesbian and gay community as Congress debates critical issues including a federal constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and hate crimes and employment non-discrimination legislation. If elected, Stork wants to provide a compassionate and personal voice on these issues.

Stork has a strong history of supporting GLBT civil rights, including serving on the Board of Directors of PFLAG of Fort Lauderdale and working closely with the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network to increase tolerance in local schools. The fundraiser is also endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, and the Delaware Stonewall Democrats, further demonstrating the importance of his run for Congress.

"We feel it’s important to lend our support to candidates who will ensure that GLBT issues will be fairly addressed in Congress, as well as also support those candidates who clearly have an understanding of issues effecting regions we live in," said Wes Combs, who along with his partner Greg Albright are hosting the fundraiser for Stork.

Stork’s Rehoboth Beach fundraiser should come as no surprise considering a significant amount of his funding has been secured through out-of-state support. Stork’s strong fundraising efforts have demonstrated a changing dynamic for challengers to those currently serving in the U.S. House of Representatives—especially in terms of their ability to raise significant dollars on-line. Since Move-on.org endorsed Jim Stork, more than 6,400 members of the on-line community donated $154,000 to the Stork for Congress campaign in just five days.

Jim Stork out raised Shaw, his 23-year Congressional incumbent and third highest ranking Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, in the second quarter of 2004 by a 3-to-1 margin of contributions. This ability to quickly fundraise makes Stork one of only eleven Democratic challengers who out raised their Republican incumbent in the second quarter of 2004.

Stork’s strong ability to fundraise outside of his own state has caused major democratic organizations to take notice. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has identified Jim Stork’s race as one of the top targeted congressional races in 2004.

Rehoboth residents may also support Stork because of the relationship between the city and Stork’s representation of South Florida. Some Rehoboth residents, including many of the hosts of the upcoming fundraiser, also have residences in South Florida. Other members of the host committee include: Gary Fisher and Jeff Heebner, Chuck Wolfe, Suzanne Goldstein and Dana Greenwald, Jim D’Orta, Patrick Gossett and Howard Menaker, and Mary Snider.

These supporters join many key national figures donating to the Stork for Congress campaign, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, former Presidential contender Howard Dean, former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, and U.S. Representatives Barney Frank, Rahm Emanuel and Patrick Kennedy.

The Jim Stork for Congress fundraiser will be held on Saturday, August 28 from 6-8 p.m. at the home of Greg Albright and Wesley Combs at 113 Columbia Avenue (corner of Fourth Street and Columbia Avenue). The suggested minimum contribution is $75.