Healey, McBride, Russell and Garcia join Victory Fund in celebrating a history-making election cycle as endorsed winners and prove the political strength in 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following a historic 2026 Election Night, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund celebrated major wins with Victory Fund–backed candidates who won races for governor, Congress, statewide office, state legislatures, and city and county seats in battleground states.
The results come in a cycle marked by an unprecedented wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and campaign attacks. Voters answered by re-electing some of the most prominent leaders in the country, each of whom made history in their own right with Victory Fund’s support.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey won a second term. In 2022 she became the first woman elected governor of Massachusetts and, alongside Oregon’s Tina Kotek, one of the first two out lesbians elected governor in U.S. history.
Congresswoman Sarah McBride won re-election in Delaware’s at-large district. McBride became the first openly transgender person elected to Congress in 2024, after becoming the nation’s first out transgender state senator in 2020.
Connecticut Treasurer Erick Russell won a second term. Russell made history in 2022 as the first out gay Black man elected to statewide office anywhere in the United States.
Congressman Robert Garcia won re-election in California’s 42nd District. Garcia is the first out LGBTQ+ immigrant elected to Congress and has become one of the Democratic caucus’s leading voices as ranking member of the House Oversight Committee..
“LGBTQ+ candidates didn’t just survive this election — they won, and they won big,” said Evan Low, President & CEO of LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. “Opponents spent this cycle trying to turn our community into a wedge. Voters rejected that. From Maura Healey in Boston to Robert Garcia in Long Beach, they chose leaders with records of results. When out candidates have the resources and support to run strong campaigns, they win. Our job now is to build on this bench so the next wave of history-makers is ready.”
“Victory Fund was built for moments like this one,” said Joe Falk, Chair of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund Board of Directors. “For 35 years, our donors and supporters have invested in out candidates at every level, from city councils to the governor’s office. This year’s results show what that long-term investment delivers: a pipeline of leaders who win, serve with distinction, and win again. We are deeply grateful to everyone who made these victories possible.”
“Massachusetts voters chose to keep moving forward — on affordability, on housing, and on protecting the rights and freedoms of every resident,” said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. “Victory Fund has stood with me from the very beginning, and I’m so grateful for their support. The success of LGBTQ candidates in Massachusetts and across the country shows young people what’s possible and allows us to advance policies that will truly made a difference for people.”
“Two years ago, Delaware sent a message that our democracy has room for everyone,” said Congresswoman, At-Large, Sarah McBride. “This week, Delawareans sent that message again. I ran on the issues that matter to families here — lowering costs, expanding access to care, and strengthening our economy. I’m grateful to Victory Fund for standing with me from my first race and for helping more trans and LGBTQ+ people see a place for themselves in public life.”
“When I was first elected, I knew that being the first came with a responsibility to make sure I’m not the last,” said Connecticut State Treasurer, Erick Russell. “Over the past four years, we’ve delivered for Connecticut families, and voters have trusted us to keep going. Victory Fund believed in this campaign from the very beginning, and its support helped prove that Black LGBTQ+ leaders belong at every level of government.”
“I came to this country as a kid, and I never imagined I’d one day represent my community in Congress,” said Congressman, CA-42, Robert Garcia. “This election was about standing up for working families and holding power accountable, and the voters of the 42nd District made their voices heard. Victory Fund has been a partner since my earliest days in public service, and I’m proud to keep fighting alongside the growing number of LGBTQ+ leaders they’ve helped elect.”
Additional 2026 highlights include:*
- Seven new out LGBTQ+ members of Congress, which helps make the next Congress the most LGBTQ+ in history
- 17 of 18 out LGBTQ+ candidates for federal office won their races
- Chris Pappas, the first out gay man elected to the U.S. Senate
- JD Ford, Indiana’s first out LGBTQ+ member of Congress, after an upset win over Rep. Victoria Spartz
- Jeremy Moss, Michigan’s first out LGBTQ+ member of Congress
- Kim Ahern, Rhode Island’s first out LGBTQ+ statewide official, elected Attorney General
- Maggie Ellis, the first LGBTQ+ person to win a statewide race in Texas and the first woman elected Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court
- First trans state legislators elected in Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Washington and Wisconsin
- Allison Montgomery, Alabama’s first transgender state lawmaker
- Bentley Hudgins, the first out trans and nonbinary member of the Georgia General Assembly
- Joanna Whaley, the first openly transgender woman in the Michigan Legislature
- Jaelynn Scott, the first openly transgender woman in the Washington Legislature
- Dina Nina Martinez, the first openly transgender woman in the Wisconsin Legislature
- Quinnie Pérez, Florida’s first out transgender woman elected to Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District
- All nine out LGBTQ+ legislative candidates in Michigan won
- 206 Victory Fund–endorsed candidates won state legislative seats
*Results as of November 6, 2026. Votes are still being counted in some races, and not all winners have been announced. These numbers will be updated as results are finalized.
A full list of 2026 Victory Fund–endorsed winners is available here. The tracker is being updated as more winners are confirmed.