Gay Political Group Backs Catania for D.C. Mayor

The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund has endorsed D.C. Councilmember David Catania for mayor - even though he's not officially running yet.

Catania, who is gay, is exploring a possible mayoral bid. An independent, he would challenge the Democratic primary winner in the general election. The group has backed his previous campaigns and announced its endorsement Tuesday.

In the primary race, Mayor Vincent Gray has picked up a series of union endorsements, including most recently the D.C. Building Trades Council. However, the influential Metropolitan Washington AFL-CIO is taking no position on the mayor's race. President Jos Williams is urging affiliated unions to make their own endorsements, and some have already backed Gray.

Meanwhile, Councilmember Muriel Bowser picked up an endorsement Tuesday from EMILY's List, a national abortion-rights group.