Washington, DC – Tonight LGBTQ Victory Fund candidate Eric Sorensen won the election for Illinois’ 17th Congressional District. With this historic victory, Sorensen is now the first out LGBTQ person ever elected to Congress from Illinois. A record number of LGBTQ people ran for Congress this year.
Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, issued the following statement:
“Eric shattered a rainbow ceiling and it could not come at a more important moment – when LGBTQ equality and abortion rights are on the chopping block in ever corner of the nation, including in Congress. Eric spent the last two decades keeping his local community safe by telling the truth and promoting a data-first approach to policy. His success tonight is a testament to the grassroots support he energized, as well as a highly effective ground game focused on candid conversations about how to make our government work better for all Americans. Eric’s pro-equality and pro-choice leadership will be critical to the future of our fundamental rights and freedoms.”
There are currently just 11 out LGBTQ people serving in Congress. To reach equitable representation, voters must elect 21 more LGBTQ people to the U.S. House of Representatives and five more LGBTQ people to the U.S. Senate, according to LGBTQ Victory Institute.
Victory Fund is tracking Election Night results at victoryfund.org/2022.
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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.
