Washington, DC – 238 out LGBTQ+ candidates have won elections in 2023, as of 3 p.m. ET, surpassing the record 185 who won in 2021 – the last odd-year election. LGBTQ+ Victory Fund is awaiting final results in six races, four LGBTQ+ candidates have advanced to runoff elections and five LGBTQ+ candidate will appear on the general election ballot in Utah Tuesday, November 21. Americans must elect over 36,000 more out officials in order to achieve equitable representation, according to LGBTQ+ Victory Institute.
Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, issued the following statement:
“What we witnessed at the ballot box Tuesday was a Rainbow Wave. More LGBTQ+ candidates won their elections than in any previous odd-year election, a resounding rebuke to the politicians who tried to make our community a wedge issue. Voters want a government that’s focused on improving their lives, not one that promotes harassment and discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. When LGBTQ+ candidates run, we win. LGBTQ+ Americans everywhere can be proud of what our community accomplished in this year’s elections.”
2023 trends:
- 68 percent of LGBTQ+ school board candidates won their races (34 out of 50);
- The number of LGBTQ+ legislators in the four states holding elections increased from 7 to 12;
- Of the 148 LGBTQ+ women who ran for office, 83 won their elections – a rate of 56 percent;
- Of the 239 out men who ran for office, 121 won their elections – a rate of 51 percent;
- Of the 468 out LGBTQ+ candidates who ran in 2023, 238 have won their elections, a success rate of 50.85 percent;
- The success rate for LGBTQ+ Victory Fund endorsed candidates was 71 percent, compared to 29.5 percent for non-endorsed LGBTQ+ candidates.
Among the historic milestones achieved by LGBTQ+ Victory Fund candidates:
- Fabian Nelson won his election to represent Mississippi State House District 66, becoming the state’s first out LGBTQ+ legislator;
- Rue Landau will be Philadelphia’s first out LGBTQ+ City Council member;
- All nine LGBTQ+ Victory Fund candidates for the Virginia General Assembly won their races, including in competitive races that determined partisan control in both chambers. Danica Roem will become the first out transgender state senator anywhere in the South.
More out LGBTQ+ candidates have run for office in 2023 than ever before in an odd election year. See the full results for all LGBTQ+ Victory Fund candidates on the November ballot at victoryfund.org/results2023.
About LGBTQ+ Victory Fund
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund works to achieve and sustain equality by increasing the number of out 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 LGBTQ+ candidates win local, state and federal elections.
