Washington, DC – Two openly LGBTQ non-incumbent candidates – Vernetta Alston and Marcia Morgan – won North Carolina state House races on Tuesday night, as did incumbent LGBTQ state Reps. Cecil Brockman, Deb Butler and Allison Dahle. The victories make it almost a certainty that LGBTQ representation will increase in the North Carolina state legislature come November. Alston is currently unchallenged in the general election.
Jenna Wadsworth, running for North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture, also won her primary Tuesday night. With a victory in November, she will be the first openly LGBTQ statewide constitutional officer elected in North Carolina and will be the youngest LGBTQ person ever elected statewide anywhere in the United States.
Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, released the following statement about the wins:
“Victories for five LGBTQ state legislative candidates, including all three LGBTQ incumbents, puts North Carolina on-track to increase LGBTQ representation in its state House at a critical phase. With state legislators grappling with the remnants of HB2 – and soon debating whether to end the prohibition on local non-discrimination laws – adding more LGBTQ voices to the debate can help change hearts and minds. That North Carolina also moved forward Jenna Wadsworth, who could become the youngest LGBTQ person ever elected statewide anywhere in America, shows voters want to put an end to the legacy of HB2 and build a state that is welcoming for all.”
North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge John Arrowood was the first openly LGBTQ person elected statewide in North Carolina.
More information about Victory Fund and its candidates is available at victoryfund.org/ourcandidates. Since 1991, Victory Fund has helped thousands of openly LGBTQ candidates win local, state and federal elections.
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LGBTQ Victory Fund
LGBTQ Victory Fund works to change the face and voice of America’s politics and achieve equality for LGBTQ Americans by increasing the number of openly LGBTQ elected officials at all levels of government.