TOP STORY
Jenny Durkan in second place in crowded Seattle mayoral field, according to new poll
The former U.S. Attorney, who would be the city’s first openly lesbian mayor, is gathering momentum — and endorsements — to solidify her frontrunner status as voting nears.
FEDERAL
Sen. Tammy Baldwin speaks out about the Senate Republican health care plan
In a late-night speech on the Senate floor, the Wisconsin senator told her own story about struggling with a pre-existing condition.
Rep. Maloney proposes law to give Congress the health care they vote for
Sean Patrick Maloney believes what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. “Members of Congress who vote for a garbage health care bill shouldn’t get to keep their special access to Obamacare.”
STATEWIDE
Polis wants to make Colorado governor’s race about “big ideas”
Rep. Jared Polis is focusing his campaign for governor on low-cost health care, universal preschool and 100 percent renewable energy.
Gov. Kate Brown’s path to being the first openly LGBTQ governor
The openly bisexual governor talked to NBC about making history, ensuring equality for all of Oregon, and how Victory Fund helped: “I truly believe their support was absolutely crucial.”
STATE
Danica Roem hard at work earning votes in historic Virginia race
Roem, the first transgender Virginia House of Delegates candidate, is campaigning on transportation, education and protecting LGBTQ students.
Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker calls “bathroom bill” developments in Texas “painful”
Gov. Greg Abbott has called a special session in July for the legislature to continue considering a dangerous anti-trans bill.
Frustration builds in Florida as governor hasn’t formally protected LGBTQ employees
State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith called the unsigned anti-discrimination executive order a “broken promise” from Gov. Rick Scott.
LOCAL
Victory Fund endorses six LGBTQ candidates, including Atlantic City mayor
An incumbent Virginia House of Delegates member was also among those endorsed.
Why Mel Wymore is running for New York City Council
“I know what it’s like to be in a marginalized population,” the trans candidate said in an interview. “I know what it’s like to be left out.”
HuffPost tracks trans candidates “fighting back”
Updates on the campaigns of Danica Roem, Andrea Jenkins, Phillipe Cunningham, Kristen Browde and more.
Long Beach mayor Robert Garcia named to NBC’s #Pride30
The openly gay mayor, who is the youngest mayor of a city in the top 50 for population, talks about his unusual road into politics.
Corey Johnson a “leading contender” for top New York City Council spot
The City Council member is in good position to seek the City Council Speaker position after the election in November.
MORE FROM THE WEEK IN LGBTQ POLITICS
— Minneapolis City Council candidate Andrea Jenkins hopes she can be an “opportunity model” and a “symbol of the resistance” if she becomes the first openly trans person elected to a major city council.
— Victory Fund President & CEO Aisha Moodie-Mills sat down with Move On to discuss the LGBTQ movement in the age of Trump.
— Seattle mayoral candidate Jenny Durkan says she’s “amazed at how Pride has grown over the past 25 years.”
— Sacramento City Councilman Steve Hansen encourages members of the LGBTQ community to embrace who they are as Pride Month winds out.
— Rep. Mark Takano joined with Sen. Elizabeth Warren and others to cosponsor a bill to protect workers from abusive scheduling practices.
— Cincinnati City Councilman Chris Seelbach took up the cause of funding a needle exchange program to help curb the opioid crisis.
ON MESSAGE
TOP TWEETS
Mark Takano celebrated the public uproar that forced the Department of Commerce to keep language protecting LGBTQ employees in place:
A street in Cincinnati has a new and historic name — in honor of the named plaintiff in Obergefell v. Hodges and his late husband just in time for the second anniversary of the Obergefell decision:
New Dallas City Councilman Omar Narvaez received a standing ovation on his first day:
And Sean Patrick Maloney had this to say about #EqualityDay, the two-year anniversary of marriage equality:
GET INVOLVED
Victory for Danica Roem
Monday, July 10
6 to 8 p.m.
Washington, DC
Victory Fund San Diego Women’s Pride Brunch
Saturday, July 15
9 to 11 a.m.
San Diego, CA
Victory Fund Pacific Northwest Reception
Sunday, July 23
1 to 3 p.m.
Seattle, WA
FOLLOW US
Facebook ‣ Twitter ‣ Instagram
Sign up for an email version of this weekly wrap-up
