LGBTQ Victory Fund endorsed candidate Danica Roem won reelection to the Virginia House of Delegates, ensuring she remains the longest-serving out trans state legislator in U.S. history. Roem defeated an anti-LGBTQ opponent in a key swing district to do it. This is Roem’s second reelection win since becoming the first out trans person to win and serve in a state legislature in 2017.
Virginia Delegate Mark Sickles also won reelection, while Delegate Dawn Adam’s race remains too close to call. Adams is also running in a swing district. Victory Fund invested heavily in the Virginia reelection campaigns – raising nearly $65,000 for its endorsed candidates and providing campaign and media support throughout.
Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, released the following statement about Roem’s victory:
“Danica’s voters again chose a qualified trans leader over an anti-LGBTQ opponent – rejecting the so-called ‘culture wars’ that aim to divide, not improve people’s lives. While Danica’s energies are focused on her district, the impact of her leadership resonates across the country. Danica exemplifies the winning recipe for trans candidates: exemplary constituent services and a hyper-focus on the issues that matter. She has inspired dozens of trans people to run for office across the country and each victory is certain to inspire more.”
Roem previously faced two transphobic opponents. She defeated her 2017 opponent, Bob Marshall, a 25-year incumbent and self-described “chief homophobe” of the Virginia state legislature, to become the first out and seated trans state legislator in U.S. history. She defeated another anti-trans opponent, Kelly Sweeney McGinn, by even larger margins in 2019.
More information about all of Victory Fund’s endorsed candidates is available at victoryfund.org/ourcandidates. Since 1991, Victory Fund has helped thousands of openly LGBTQ candidates win local, state and federal elections.
