Washington, DC – Tonight LGBTQ Victory Fund candidate Maura Healey won the Massachusetts gubernatorial race – becoming the first out LGBTQ governor of Massachusetts and one of the first out lesbian governors in U.S. history. Tina Kotek, who is running for governor in Oregon and whose race has not yet been called, would join Healey in becoming the first two out lesbian governors in the U.S. if elected. Healey previously made history in 2014 when she became the nation’s first out LGBTQ state attorney general.
Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, issued the following statement:
“It is an uphill battle for LGBTQ candidates and women candidates to win high-level elected office, but Massachusetts voters know Maura is a fighter and today helped her make U.S. political history. Maura is one of the most compassionate and courageous public servants in America, never backing down from a tough fight on behalf of the underdog. In the face of so much hate and intolerance sweeping our nation, her win is a sign – especially to LGBTQ kids in desperate need of hope – that LGBTQ people have a place in American society and can become respected public leaders. We are confident that under Maura’s leadership, Massachusetts will reach new heights as one of the most inclusive states in the country.”
To reach equitable representation, the U.S. must elect two more LGBTQ governors for a total of four, according to LGBTQ Victory Institute.
Victory Fund is tracking the 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.
