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Log Cabin Republicans National Board Selects Patrick Sammon as New President

Sammon Committed to Strengthening Grassroots

December 18, 2006

(Washington, DC) – The Log Cabin Republicans National Board of Directors today named Patrick Sammon as the organization's new President. Sammon also will serve as President of the Liberty Education Forum, a non-partisan educational foundation that is associated with Log Cabin. Sammon has been leading these organizations on an interim basis since September 1st.

"Log Cabin is fortunate to have someone with Patrick's skills and experience leading this organization," said Log Cabin National Board Chairman Tim Schoeffler. "We conducted an expansive nationwide search. We interviewed many highly qualified people, but at the end of the day, it became clear that Patrick was the best person for this job. Over the past three years, we've come to know and appreciate his work for this organization. We know Patrick will do an excellent job."

"I'm humbled and honored to be leading Log Cabin Republicans during this important time," said Sammon. "Log Cabin's mission is more important than ever before. I will provide a strong voice for those in our Party who believe the GOP can return to power by pursuing a unifying and inclusive conservative agenda that attracts voters from both the center and the right. "

As Log Cabin's interim leader, Sammon provided the leading conservative voice defending gays and lesbians in the Republican Party in the wake of the scandal involving disgraced former Congressman Mark Foley. In appearances on CNN's "Larry King Live," "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer," and on MSNBC and "ABC World News," Sammon forcefully defended gay and lesbian Republicans and blasted those who used the Foley scandal to advance their anti-gay agenda. "Patrick did an amazing job during this very challenging time," said Schoeffler.

"Patrick's background in media and politics gives Log Cabin a powerful conservative voice for traditional Republican principles," said Schoeffler.

"Log Cabin Republicans provide an important voice in Washington for the gay and lesbian community," said U.S. Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR). "I look forward to working with Patrick Sammon on many key issues before the new Congress."

"I'm confident Patrick will be a strong and effective leader for Log Cabin," said former EPA Administrator and Governor Christine Todd Whitman (R-NJ). Whitman also is the founder of It's My Party Too, a political action committee dedicated to supporting fiscally conservative, socially inclusive GOP candidates at all levels of government. "I welcome the opportunity to continue working with Patrick and Log Cabin as we help our Party return to its unifying core principles – personal freedom, limited government, and individual responsibility."

"Log Cabin's board has selected a committed leader," said Chuck Wolfe, President of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. "Patrick will build on the organization's solid foundation as an important ally in the fight for equality."

"Patrick's strong experience working in the media and his understanding of the issues facing gay Americans have prepared him well for this unique leadership role." said Neil Giuliano, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

"I'll be focused on strengthening our grassroots chapters and continuing outreach to Republicans all across America," said Sammon. "Log Cabin's strength comes from our dedicated members around the country who are on the front lines working to build a more inclusive GOP. I will be working closely with our grassroots leaders so we can provide an even stronger voice in our Party for basic fairness and equality."

Sammon joined the Liberty Education Forum in January 2004. As Executive Vice President, he developed and implemented many LEF initiatives, including the organization's Reaching the Heartland Program. This program is gaining new allies for equality among conservatives and people of faith, especially in red states.

"As someone who has lived almost ten years in smaller conservative cities, I've learned that most Americans are at their core decent people who value freedom and fairness for their family, friends, and neighbors. We need to continue seeking more allies for equality among conservatives and people of faith," said Sammon. "Our side is winning the fight for equality, but we must do more in the years ahead to unify all Americans, particularly conservatives, around our common values of freedom and fairness."

Sammon possesses a wide variety of political and media experience. He was an award winning television news reporter for six years. From 1999 to 2002, he was a television news reporter at WJHL Newschannel 11, the CBS affiliate in the Tri-Cities (Johnston City and Kingsport, TN & Bristol, TN/VA). In 2002, the Tennessee Associated Press Broadcasters Association gave him an award for Best News Writing in the state. Sammon also spent three years as a television news reporter at WWNY-TV, the CBS affiliate in Watertown, New York. He received awards from the New York Associated Press Broadcasters Association for best feature reporting and the Syracuse Press Club for best investigative reporting.

Sammon, a 32 year-old Roman Catholic, is a native of Seattle, Washington. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Syracuse University in 1997.