Washington, DC – Today Washington state Senator Marko Liias placed in the non-partisan primary for lieutenant governor, putting him on-track to become Washington’s first openly LGBTQ statewide executive and only the second openly LGBTQ lieutenant governor ever elected in the United States. Sen. Liias has been a leading voice on equality issues in Washington state, including heading the five-year successful effort to ban conversion therapy. That bill was signed into law in 2018.
Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, released the following statement about Liias’ primary placement:
“Washington voters chose a champion for equality to move forward to the general election, and now Marko is well-positioned to become just the second openly LGBTQ lieutenant governor in U.S. history. With just eight LGBTQ statewide executives in the entire country, his election would inspire more LGBTQ people to run for higher-level office and become change-makers for their communities.”
Washington Supreme Court justice Mary Yu was the first openly LGBTQ person elected statewide in Washington and Guam Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio the first openly LGBTQ lieutenant governor in the U.S. Both are currently serving.
More information about Victory Fund and its 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 change the face and voice of America’s politics and achieve equality for LGBTQ Americans by increasing the number of openly LGBTQ elected officials at all levels of government.
