Washington, DC – Tonight LGBTQ Victory Fund candidate Leigh Finke won the election for Minnesota’s state House District 66A. With this historic victory, she is now the first out trans person ever elected to the Minnesota state legislature. A record number of trans candidates ran for office in the 2022 midterm elections. In Minnesota, a record number of out LGBTQ people ran for state legislature this year.
Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, issued the following statement:
“Leigh made history tonight because she is ready to disrupt the status quo and fight for real change on behalf of her community. From safeguarding abortion rights to addressing societal inequities, she has a vision for the future that voters are clearly enthusiastic about. Her win is a clear and deafening rebuke to the transphobia currently sweeping our communities and her success will inspire other trans people to step up and run. When our rights are on the ballot, we cannot stay silent. Leigh proves we must continue running for office in record numbers because when we run, we win.”
There are currently just eight out trans state legislators in the entire country, according to LGBTQ Victory Institute.
Victory Fund is tracking Election Night results at victoryfund.org/2022.
_________________
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.