Washington, DC – Tonight LGBTQ Victory Fund endorsed candidate Maura Healey earned the Democratic nomination in the Massachusetts gubernatorial race. She is now on track to become one of the first out lesbian governors in U.S. history, along with Tina Kotek who is running for governor in Oregon. Healey previously made history in 2014 when she became the nation’s first out LGBTQ state attorney general. The U.S. has never elected an out lesbian governor.
There are currently only two out LGBTQ governors: Kate Brown in Oregon and Jared Polis in Colorado. To reach equitable representation, the U.S. must elect two more out LGBTQ governors for a total of four, according to Victory Institute’s 2022 Out for America report.
Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, issued the following statement about her win:
“As attorney general, Maura has used the power of the legal system to fight the opioid epidemic, protect our environment, safeguard LGBTQ rights and so much more. She knows how to disrupt the status quo and get real change done on behalf of her constituents. As governor, we are confident she will leverage this experience to help create a more just future for all Massachusetts residents, especially LGBTQ kids who’ve felt the brunt of anti-LGBTQ attacks this year. Her success tonight is a clear sign that our collective perseverance and grit will ultimately win out over the wave of intolerance sweeping our country.”
Victory Fund named Healey a Game Changer candidate, a designation given to congressional and statewide 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 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.
