Washington, DC – Tonight LGBTQ Victory Fund endorsed candidates Venton Jones and Christian Manuel-Hayes won their Democratic primary runoff elections for the Texas state House in District 100 and District 22, respectively. The victories put both on-track to become the first out LGBTQ Black men ever elected to the Texas state legislature, if they win the general election in November. Jones would also be the first out LGBTQ Black state legislator in the U.S. who is openly HIV-positive.
Victory Fund named Jones and Manuel-Hayes Spotlight candidates, a designation given to state or local candidates in history-making races, that comes with additional support and services from Victory Fund to ensure they win. In the final weeks leading up to Election Day, Victory Fund staff were on the ground speaking with voters and providing campaign support for both candidates.
Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, issued the following statement about their wins:
“In state legislatures across the country – and certainly here in Texas – we are seeing a disturbing rise in anti-Black and anti-LGBTQ laws passed by legislative bodies that do not represent our community. Tonight, primary voters responded to those attacks by shattering a lavender ceiling and sending Venton and Christian to a general election where they are poised to make history. These two LGBTQ leaders are fighters and are determined to create a more accepting and equitable Texas and America. When they win in November, it will send a strong message that bigotry will not prevail long-term.”
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.
