State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-181), who announced his candidacy for Pennsylvania's open U.S. Senate seat in February, was in Pittsburgh Wednesday to accept an endorsement from LGBTQ Victory Fund.
The national organization aims to help LGBTQ people get elected at all levels of government.
"We know and he knows that it takes new leaders and new leadership to help make sure that the priorities of Washington fit those that they serve," said Sean Meloy, Victory Fund Vice President of Political Programs.
Kenyatta, who is from Philadelphia, accepted the nomination at Freedom Corner in the Hill District, saying he believes he'll bring more diversity and inclusivity to government.
"We have to have people at every single level of government who understand in their bones what's broken because they've lived it," Kenyatta said.
If Kenyatta is elected, he would become the first openly gay man in the U.S. Senate.
"It's not good enough to have people talk about that they're for us," he said. "Working people can speak for ourselves. Marginalized people, we can speak for ourselves, and I think it's time for folks to hear us."
Kenyatta was joined by State Rep. Jessica Benham (D-36), Braddock mayor Chardae Jones and Etna Borough councilwoman Jessica Semler.