Washington, DC – Today Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office, endorsed nine candidates in state and local races. Jenny Durkan, running to be mayor of Seattle, received a spotlight endorsement, and if elected would become the first lesbian mayor of Seattle and just the second woman.
“We have a historic opportunity to elect Jenny Durkan the first lesbian mayor of Seattle – and just the second lesbian mayor currently representing a major U.S. city,” said Aisha C. Moodie-Mills, President & CEO of Victory Fund. “LGBTQ mayors are leading the resistance by welcoming immigrants and refugees, standing with Muslim communities and implementing protections for trans students in schools. Those are Seattle values, and those are Jenny’s values. As mayor she will fight tirelessly to implement policies that mitigate the effects of Trump administration extremism for the people of Seattle.”
Among the other endorsees are five LGBTQ candidates running for New York City Council, including incumbent Corey Johnson, that could nearly double its LGBTQ representation. Elvin Garcia is running against an anti-LGBTQ incumbent and a victory would be a powerful statement that intolerance is inexcusable in New York City. Mel Wymore would become the first openly trans person to sit on the city council if elected. Victories for either Mel Wymore or Kristen Browde, a trans woman running for New Castle Town Supervisor, would make them the first trans people ever elected in New York State.
In Atlanta, city council candidate Kirk Rich joins an already impressive slate of LGBTQ Atlantans – including mayoral candidate Cathy Woolard and city council president candidate Alex Wan. Victories for these LGBTQ leaders would make Atlanta a model of progress the entire South can aspire to.
Spotlight Candidate
Jenny Durkan, Mayor of Seattle
Endorsed Candidates
Kristen Browde, New Castle Town Supervisor (NY)
Kevin Carroll, New York City Council, District 43 (NY)
Elvin Garcia, New York City Council, District 18 (NY)
Dylan Schwartz, New York City Council, District 51 (NY)
Mel Wymore, New York City Council, District 6 (NY)
Kirk Rich, Atlanta City Council, District 6 (GA)
Jim McClurken, Lansing City Council, Ward 4 (MI)
Endorsed Incumbents
Corey Johnson, New York City Council, District 3 (NY)
Since 1991, Victory Fund has helped thousands of openly LGBTQ candidates win local, state and federal elections.
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Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund
The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund works to change the face and voice of America’s politics and achieve equality for LGBT Americans by increasing the number of openly LGBT elected officials at all levels of government.