The Spectator reports that what it calls the "ultra liberal" fundraising group, Emily's List, as well as the Human Rights Campaign, are backing three lesbian candidates for Congress, running in California, Washington, and Wisconsin. The Spectator says these groups are reported to have helped raise nearly $3 million for the women's campaigns.

The best-known of those running is also, the Spectator believes, the person best-suited to win: Retired Army Colonel Margarethe Cammermeyer in Washington. This is because of her struggle against the Army and because her case was favorably publicized when she was played by Glen Close in a TV film.

San Diego's Christine Kehoe, according to the right-wing publication, is causing Republicans the greatest concern in her bid for the 49^th Congressional District. After receciving an overwhelming percentage of the vote for her present seat on the San Diego council she is now running against Republican Rep. Brian Bilbray who is labeled a "moderate" by the Spectator, and is dismissed as somewhat bland.

Tammy Baldwin, already a state representative in Wisconsin, is also worrisome to GOP strategists. While they attempt to put the best faces on the controversial Congressional races, the strategists seem clearly rattled, and are quoted in the Kehoe race as saying they're not sure that the help needed by Bilbray can be tendered.

Both The Human Rights Campaign and the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund have announced endorsements of Christine Kehoe and Tammy Baldwin.

"Christine Kehoe is a fantastic public servant, and she will make a fantastic member of the U.S. House of Representatives," said HRC Political Director Winnie Stachelberg. "Her record and commitment on a broad range of issues are superb."

Active in San Diego politics and community affairs since 1978, Christine Kehoe was first elected to the San Diego City Council with Victory Fund support in 1993. Extremely popular with her constituents, she was overwhelmingly re-elected in 1996, garnering 79.5% of the vote.

She currently serves as the City's representative to the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), the Automated Regional Justice Information System Board of Directors, the Small Business Advisory Board, and the National League of Cities. In 1997, she was appointed to the prestigious California Coastal Commission to represent the San Diego Coastal Region.

While in office, she has earned respect as a moderate leader who is tough on crime, staunchly advocates for small business and job creation and has a strong record on environmental and civil rights issues.

HRC does not anticipate sexual orientation becoming an issue in the Kehoe campaign. "Christine Kehoe is an outstanding and well-rounded public servant advocating responsible policies on crime, education, jobs and the environment, as well as on health and full equal rights for all Americans," added Stachelberg.

If elected to Congress, Kehoe is committed to cosponsoring the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill to protect Americans from job discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund said, "The District's history and recent polling clearly show that Bilbray is vulnerable and Christine Kehoe has the qualifications, courage and character to win this race," says Victory Fund Executive Director Brian Bond. "We're extremely proud to support a candidate of Christine Kehoe's caliber and we're strongly encouraging all of our friends and colleagues to do the same." Currently the only announced Democrat in the race, Kehoe will face off against Bilbray in the June 1998 open primary.

Wisconsin State Representative Tammy Baldwin [D], who is running for the Second District seat currently held by retiring four-term Congressman Scott Klug [R]. If elected in 1998, Kehoe and Baldwin will make history as the first open lesbians and the first openly gay non-incumbents to serve in the United States Congress.

The Victory Fund is the only national organization whose sole mission is to increase the number of qualified openly gay and lesbian public officials. The country's 14th largest nonconnected PAC, the Victory Fund has generated $1.6 million for qualified openly gay and lesbian candidates. Contributions to Christine Kehoe's campaign should be made out to "Kehoe for Congress '98" and mailed to the Victory Fund at 1012 14th Street NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005.

"Electing exemplary gay people like Christine Kehoe helps eradicate the false and negative stereotypes that keep us from achieving true equality," says Victory Fund Political Director Kathleen DeBold. "Fairminded voters know that good government doesn't come in a certain color, or gender, or sexual orientation. Good government comes from good leadership which is exactly what Christine Kehoe has to offer."