Washington, DC – Last night LGBTQ Victory Fund endorsed candidate Jolanda Jones won the Democratic runoff election for Texas’s 147th state House District. After winning the special election on May 8th, she became the first out LGBTQ Black woman ever elected to the Texas state legislature. With yesterday’s victory, she is now on track to remain the sole out LGBTQ Black woman in the state House. There are currently just 7 out LGBTQ people serving in the Texas state legislature.
Victory Fund named Jones a Spotlight candidate, a designation given to state or local candidates in history-making races, that comes with additional support and services from LGBTQ Victory Fund to ensure they win. In the final weeks leading up to and including Election Day, Victory Fund staff were on the ground speaking with voters and providing campaign support.
Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, issued the following statement about her win:
“Yet again, voters were excited by Jolanda’s exceptional experience and qualifications, proven track record and vision for the future. She is a natural leader and fierce advocate who has dedicated her professional life to increasing fairness and equity in Texas, from increasing access to quality health care to improving public schools to safeguarding our right to free and fair elections. She knows how to build winning coalitions and get meaningful change done for her community. With so much prejudice plaguing our society, Jolanda’s win tonight is a beacon of hope and demonstrates voters are motivated to elect leaders that reflect the real America who are ready to enact meaningful change. We are confident Jolanda will continue being an effective leader and lawmaker and that her continued success will inspire many more LGBTQ and Black people to run for office.”
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.
