Washington, DC – Today LGBTQ Victory Fund endorsed candidate Becca Balint won the Democratic primary election for Vermont’s At-Large Congressional District. With this victory, she is now on track to become the first out LGBTQ person and first woman ever elected to Congress from Vermont. Vermont is the only state to have never elected a woman to Congress.
According to LGBTQ Victory Institute’s Out for America Map, the only national database of out LGBTQ elected officials, there are currently just 11 out LGBTQ people serving in Congress. To reach equitable representation, we must elect an additional 21 out LGBTQ people to the U.S. House of Representatives and five out LGBTQ people to the U.S. Senate.
Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, issued the following statement about Balint’s win:
“Tonight voters made their voices heard loud and clear: they are excited about Becca and her compelling vision for Vermont and our country, one founded in courage and kindness. For nearly a decade, Becca has worked tirelessly to enact meaningful legislation to increase fairness and equity in her community. Now, she is ready to do the same in Congress. With legislation currently moving through Congress to enshrine LGBTQ rights and abortion rights into federal law, the urgency of this election could not be more clear. Our community and allies cannot afford to wait – or sit on the sidelines – when the rights of millions of Americans are on the line. We are confident Becca will continue to be a fierce pro-equality, pro-choice champion for all Americans.”
Victory Fund named Balint a Game Changer candidate, a designation given to federal or state candidates in history-making races, that comes with additional support and services from LGBTQ Victory Fund to ensure they win on Election Day.
More information about all of Victory Fund’s endorsed candidates is available at victoryfund.org/ourcandidates.
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LGBTQ Victory Fund
LGBTQ Victory Fund works to achieve and sustain equality by increasing the number of openly LGBTQ elected officials at all levels of government while ensuring they reflect the diversity of those they serve. Since 1991, Victory Fund has helped thousands of openly LGBTQ candidates win local, state and federal elections.
