It is exactly three weeks until election day for the majority of our endorsed candidates — including five of our 2017 Spotlight Candidates. Victory Fund is providing fundraising, communications and ground-game support to help our candidates cross the finish line on November 7, and our candidates need your support as well.
Here are the Spotlight Candidates with elections just weeks away:
Cathy Woolard, Mayor of Atlanta. Cathy is a former City Council President who passed the only LGBTQ-inclusive non-discrimination law in the entire state. She has received endorsements from key community leaders and groups, the most recent being the influential Atlanta Journal-Constitution Jay Bookman. She is considered a leading candidate in the crowded field of candidates. If elected, she would be the first openly LGBTQ mayor of Atlanta.
Jenny Durkan, Mayor of Seattle. Jenny was appointed by former President Barack Obama to serve as US Attorney for Western Washington and was the first openly LGBTQ US Attorney in the nation. She is considered the favorite to win in November, with the Seattle Times endorsement referring to her as “the only candidate offering the whole package.” She also received the majority of union and community-focused organization endorsements, as well as endorsements from influential political leaders such as Washington Governor Jay Inslee and Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson. She would be Seattle’s first openly lesbian mayor.
Danica Roem, Virginia House of Delegates, District 13. Danica is running against the “chief homophobe” of the Virginia House of Delegates and would become the only openly trans state legislator in the nation if elected. She just received a huge endorsement from former Vice President Joe Biden, who was impressed by her commitment to improve the lives of the middle class. She also received key endorsements from key organizations such as Emily’s List, National Center for Transgender Equality and People for the American Way.
Andrea Jenkins, Minneapolis City Council, Ward 8. Andrea will be the first trans woman ever elected to a major city’s council, and is widely expected to win the seat. She has been endorsed by many progressive groups in addition to Victory Fund, including LGBTQ group Stonewall DFL Caucus in Minnesota. As a city council member, Andrea plans to be a voice for trans people and people of color in her community.
Phillipe Cunningham, Minneapolis City Council, Ward 4. Phillipe will be the first trans man ever elected to a major city’s council. One of his many goals as a local official is to create community wealth, and break cycles of generational poverty and violence. Phillipe has been endorsed by a number of influential groups, including the Minnesota Young DFL.
