News

Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon Announces Departure

National Board Conducting Search for Replacement

November 13, 2008

(Washington, DC) – Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon will be leaving his position early next year. "After five years at this organization and more than two years leading Log Cabin, I am ready to tackle new challenges. I'll be doing documentary filmmaking, which is what I did before joining Log Cabin's staff," said Sammon. "I told Log Cabin's national board earlier this year I would be moving on after the election. I'm proud of the progress we've made and I know Log Cabin is well positioned to impact the GOP's future direction."

"We thank Patrick for the excellent job he has done as President," said Log Cabin National Board Chairman Pete Kingma. "His communication ability and political skills served the organization very well."

Log Cabin's Board of Directors has started a national search process. "After Patrick's strong leadership, we are confident we'll find an excellent candidate to lead Log Cabin Republicans and the Liberty Education Forum," said Kingma.

Sammon will stay in his position until the end of January. "With the election behind us, it's a good time to make a transition," said Sammon. "I have put my heart and soul into this organization and I am proud of our achievements."

• In a tough election year, 75% of Log Cabin's endorsed House and Senate candidates won re-election as the organization provided more financial support than ever before to our congressional allies.
• Under Sammon's leadership, Log Cabin built close ties with Sen. John McCain's campaign and had a strong presence at the 2008 GOP Convention. "Sen. McCain's inclusive campaign was an important step forward as we educate GOP voters about the importance of fairness and freedom for gay and lesbian people," said Sammon.
• During the GOP presidential primaries, Log Cabin stood up to Gov. Mitt Romney's use of gay and lesbian families as a wedge issue. Our television and radio ad campaigns in Iowa and New Hampshire educated Republican voters about Gov. Romney's real record. "We're glad our Party nominated a candidate Log Cabin could proudly support," said Sammon.
• Log Cabin helped secure 35 Republican House votes on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Their votes provided the margin of victory.
• Sammon expanded Log Cabin's work on HIV/AIDS issues with the addition of Dr. David Reznik as a health policy advisor.
• Log Cabin built strong ties to New York GOP state lawmakers. In the Assembly, the organization helped gain unprecedented bi-partisan support on a marriage equality bill. Log Cabin also built close ties with inclusive GOP State Senators, whose votes will be needed to bring marriage equality to the Empire State.
• Log Cabin's "Republicans Against 8" campaign helped secure GOP opposition to California's marriage amendment. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his opposition to Proposition 8 at Log Cabin's national convention in April. "It is deeply saddening that Proposition 8 passed, but I'm proud of our work in gaining GOP allies to oppose the measure," said Sammon.

"I thank all Log Cabin members who provided generous support for our work. I'm grateful for your commitment to this organization," said Sammon. "I will continue assisting in any way I can to advance Log Cabin's mission."

"Log Cabin has a huge opportunity to influence the Republican Party's renewal in the months and years ahead," said Kingma. "The GOP's brand is severely damaged. Log Cabin will be an important part of the effort to revive our Party with a unifying philosophy that brings people together around inclusive GOP values instead of wedge issue politics," said Kingma.