Washington, DC – Today LGBTQ Victory Fund endorsed candidate Leigh Finke won the Democratic primary for Minnesota’s state House District 66A. With this victory, she is now on track to become the first out trans person ever elected to the Minnesota state legislature. There were a record number of out LGBTQ state legislative candidates on the ballot today in Minnesota.
According to LGBTQ Victory Institute’s Out for America Map, the only national database of out LGBTQ elected officials, there are currently just eight out trans state legislators in the entire country.
Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, issued the following statement about her win:
“Minnesotans are ready for a leader who is prepared to disrupt the status quo and fight for real change. From safeguarding abortion rights to addressing economic inequality to expanding protections for trans people, Leigh has a persuasive and critically important agenda that voters are clearly enthusiastic about. We are confident Leigh’s win tonight is a clear sign to our community – and LGBTQ kids in particular – that hate will not triumph. Leaders like Leigh prove over and over again that our community is strong, united and ready to lead our nation into a kinder and more accepting future. Backing down has never been in our DNA, especially when our freedoms are on the ballot.”
Victory Fund named Finke 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 on Election Day.
More information about all of Victory Fund’s endorsed candidates is available at www.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.
