Pennsylvania candidates Malcolm Kenyatta and Kristin Seale are on-track to make history after winning their primaries on Tuesday night. Malcolm became the first openly LGBTQ person of color to win a Pennsylvania state House primary and will become the first openly LGBTQ person of color to serve in the state legislature if elected in November. Kristin will become the first queer state legislator in the state’s history if elected in November. Brian Sims, the first and only openly LGBTQ state legislator in Pennsylvania – won his race unopposed. Six of seven Victory Fund-endorsed candidates with primaries won their races Tuesday night.
“Representative Brian Sims has been our lone LGBTQ voice in the state legislature – standing up to bigoted colleagues and putting forward pro-equality legislation – but he won’t be alone much longer,” said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund. “With tonight’s victories, we are poised to triple the number of openly LGBTQ state legislators in Pennsylvania – an important step in moving equality forward in the state. While these out leaders will be champions for our community, their campaign platforms are about improving the lives of all Pennsylvanians. That is why they won tonight, and why they will win in November.”
Beyond Pennsylvania, three Victory-Fund endorsed incumbents won their primaries: Oregon Governor Kate Brown, Oregon state Rep. Karin Power, and Idaho State Rep. John McCrostie.
Malcolm Kenyatta was awarded “Spotlight” status by Victory Fund in April and Governor Kate Brown “Game Changer” status – both designations given to candidates in history-making races.
Ashley Lukenheimer came in second place in a 10-candidate primary race for a Congressional seat from Pennsylvania.
