Elisa Crespo could be first out trans person elected in New York state;
Darden Rice endorsed in St. Petersburg mayoral race
Washington, DC – Today LGBTQ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office, endorsed 15 LGBTQ candidates for 2021 races. Among the endorsees is Victor Reyes, who is running in a special election for a U.S. House seat in New Mexico, which will be vacant pending the coming Senate confirmation of Rep. Deb Haaland to be U.S. Secretary of the Interior.
Three candidates received Spotlight Candidate endorsements. Elisa Crespo, previously endorsed in her race for New York City Council, was elevated to a Spotlight Candidate and would become the first out trans person elected in New York state. Also receiving the Spotlight Candidate endorsements were Darden Rice, running for mayor of St. Petersburg, and New York state Senator Brad Hoylman, running for Manhattan Borough President. Rice would be the first out LGBTQ mayor of St. Petersburg and Sen. Hoylman the first out LGBTQ Manhattan Borough President.
“There is no such thing as an off-election year and 2021 presents opportunities to elect groundbreaking LGBTQ candidates that can impact policy for millions of Americans,” said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund. “We can increase representation in the U.S. Congress, elect big city mayors and help trans leaders shatter long-standing political barriers. We must increase LGBTQ representation not because we desire power for its own sake, but because it leads to pro-equality policies that improve the lives of LGBTQ people.”
The complete list of candidate endorsements announced today is below:
Gamechanger Endorsement
Victor Reyes
U.S. House of Representatives, NM-01
General Election: 6/8/21
Spotlight Candidate Endorsements (Previously Unendorsed)
Brad Hoylman
Manhattan Borough President
Primary Election: 6/22/21
General Election: 11/2/21
Darden Rice
Mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida
Primary Election: 8/24/21
General Election: 11/2/21
Spotlight Candidate Endorsements (Previously Endorsed)
Elisa Crespo
New York City Council District 15
Primary Election: 6/22/21
General Election: 11/2/21
General Candidate Endorsements
Alex Arroyo
Aurora Township Supervisor
Primary Election: 2/23/21
General Election: 4/6/21
Bryan Barash
Newton City Council, At-Large, Ward 2
General Election: 3/16/21
Tom Beckius
Lincoln City Council, At-Large
General Election: 4/6/21
Runoff Election: 5/4/21
David Donofrio
South-Western City (OH) School District Board of Education Member
Primary Election: 8/3/21
General Election: 11/2/21
Crystal Hudson
New York City Council, District 35
Primary Election: 6/22/21
General Election: 11/2/21
Kirk McPike
Alexandria City Council
Primary Election: 6/8/21
General Election: 11/2/21
Chi Ossé
New York City Council, District 36
Primary Election: 6/22/21
General Election: 11/2/21
Larry Palm
Dane County Supervisor, District 12
Primary Election: 2/16/21
General Election: 4/6/21
Josue Pierre
New York City Council, District 40
Primary Election: 6/22/21
General Election: 11/2/21
Bill Stephens
St. Louis Alderman, Ward 12
Primary Election: 3/2/21
General Election: 4/6/21
Zack Zappone
Spokane City Council, District 3-Position 2
Primary Election: 8/3/21
General Election: 11/2/21
Incumbent Candidate Endorsements
Elias Diaz
Eagle Pass City Council Place 2
General Election: 5/1/21
(Elias currently does not have an opponent.)
More information about all of Victory Fund’s endorsed 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 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.
