House Endorsements
Immigrants’ List selects candidates based on their beliefs and their desire to actively pursue immigration reform once in Congress. Immigrants’ List works to ensure that pro-immigration reform candidates in competitive districts are not afraid to work for meaningful reform. Have a candidate you’d like us to look into? E-mail us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Are you a candidate or elected official that would like our endorsement? Fill out our questionnaire.
2010 House Candidates
Rep. Joseph Cao (LA-02)
Rep. Joseph Cao, who fled Vietnam at age 8, was elected to Congress in 2008. Cao, an immigration attorney, has worked as an advocate for refugees and as legal counsel for an organization that helps poor Vietnamese and other minorities. He co-sponsored the American Dream Act (H.R. 1751), which would help children of undocumented immigrants attend college.
Rep. Gerry Connolly (VA-11)
Rep. Gerry Connolly was elected in 2008 to represent parts of suburban Washington, D.C. Before serving in Congress, Connolly chaired the Fairfax County board of supervisors and successfully opposed legislative measures passed by neighboring counties to crack down on illegal immigration. Connolly’s 2010 race will be a rematch with his 2008 opponent, Keith Fimian, who backs an enforcement-only approach to immigration.
Bill Hedrick (CA-44)
Bill Hedrick is in a rematch of his close 2008 race against nine-term Rep. Ken Calvert, who backs an enforcement-only approach to immigration. The American Immigration Lawyers Association consistently gives Calvert its lowest possible rating. Hedrick supports a path to citizenship for undocumented working immigrants.
Rep. Jim Himes (CT-04)
Rep. Jim Himes defeated an 11-term incumbent in 2008. Himes supports a practical and humane approach to comprehensive immigration reform and a path to citizenship, which includes documenting the country’s estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants. Himes, who has called U.S. immigration policy “dysfunctional and shameful,” is being challenged by state Sen. Dan Debicella, who voted against the Immigrants and Postsecondary Education Act—Connecticut’s version of the DREAM Act.
Rep. Scott Murphy (NY-20)
Rep. Scott Murphy narrowly defeated the state assembly’s minority leader in the March 2009 special election that followed Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand’s appointment to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. With a margin of victory of only 726 votes, Murphy’s race is likely to be extremely competitive.
Rep. Tom Perriello (VA-05)
Rep. Tom Perriello defeated a six-term congressman in 2008 by 745 votes. Several national organizations and political action committees, including those of Sarah Palin and the conservative Family Research Council, are working to defeat him. Perriello helped found two nonprofit organizations that promote human rights and social justice and has also worked to peacefully end conflicts in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Darfur and Afghanistan.
Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-05)
Rep. Mike Quigley won the April 2009 special election to replace Rep. Rahm Emanuel, who resigned to become President Barack Obama’s chief of staff. Quigley supports a path to citizenship for the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants currently in the United States. He is a co-sponsor of the American Dream Act (H.R. 1751), which would help children of undocumented workers attend college, and the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity Act of 2009 (H.R. 4321).
Rep. Harry Teague (NM-02)
Rep. Harry Teague, who was elected in 2008, faces a challenge from the congressman who formerly held this seat. Teague is a vocal supporter of comprehensive immigration reform. He favors a path to citizenship and wants to work toward a more efficient system that allows for an increased number of legal immigrants. His opponent is against a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
