All five current LGBTQ members are termed out this year;
12 Victory Fund candidates could double the record for LGBTQ representation;
Would be city council and state legislative chamber with most LGBTQ members;
Many of the candidates will be historic firsts
Washington, DC – All five LGBTQ members of the New York City Council are termed out this year, generating some concern that LGBTQ representation on the council could be smaller – or even non-existent – after the elections this year. Yet a dozen LGBTQ council candidates endorsed by LGBTQ Victory Fund are strong contenders, and if elected, could instead make it the most LGBTQ-inclusive council in New York City history. If all 12 are elected, the council would have more LGBTQ members than any city council or single state legislative chamber anywhere in the nation.
Many of the candidates would also be historic firsts on the council if elected. New York City’s primaries are held on June 22. Media interested in speaking with New York City council candidates can contact Elliot Imse at elliot.imse@victoryfund.org to set up an interview.
The 12 council candidates endorsed by Victory Fund are:
- Amit Bagga (District 26): Would be the first out LGBTQ South Asian elected to the council.
- Erik Bottcher (District 3): Would preserve LGBTQ representation in the 3rd district.
- Tiffany Cabán (District 22): Would be the first out LGBTQ person elected to the 22nd District seat.
- Marti Gould Allen-Cummings (District 7): Would be the first non-binary person elected in New York state.
- Wilfredo Florentino (District 42): Would be the first out LGBTQ representative in the 42nd district.
- Crystal Hudson (District 35): Would be the first Black out LGBTQ woman elected to the council (along with Kirstin Richardson Jordan, if she wins election too).
- Jeffrey Omura (District 6): Would be the first Japanese-American elected in New York state and the first out gay person to represent the Upper West Side.
- Chi Ossé (District 36): Would be the youngest person ever elected to the council.
- Josue Pierre (District 40): Would be the first Afro-Caribbean out LGBTQ person elected to the council.
- Alfonso Quiroz (District 25): Would maintain LGBTQ representation in the 25th District.
- Kirstin Richardson Jordan (District 9): Would be the first Black out LGBTQ woman elected to the council (along with Crystal Hudson, if she wins election too).
- Lynn Schulman (District 29): Would be the first out queer person elected to any office from Queens.
“New York City’s slate of LGBTQ council candidates are a reflection of the city they aim to represent, and many will make political history if elected in November,” said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund. “With this election, the New York City Council could have more LGBTQ members than any other single legislative body in the nation, or have zero LGBTQ representation as the sitting LGBTQ members term out. Therefore, it is vital LGBTQ and allied voters turnout for LGBTQ candidates and ensure our community continues to have a strong presence on the council.”
If 12 out LGBTQ members serve on the New York City Council next year, it will surpass the New Hampshire state House in having the most LGBTQ members of a city council or state legislative chamber. The New Hampshire state House currently has 11 out LGBTQ members.
Beyond the council, two other potential history-making candidates are endorsed by Victory Fund. Council Speaker Corey Johnson, running for Comptroller, would be the first out LGBTQ person elected citywide in New York City, and state Senator Brad Hoylman, running for Manhattan Borough President, would be the first out LGBTQ person elected to a borough president position.
More information about all of Victory Fund’s endorsed 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 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.
victoryfund.org
