Gay, lesbian candidates victorious across U.S. in Tuesday
voting

Wed, Nov 4th 2009, 15:19

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Denis Dison (202) 842-7308, denis.dison@victoryfund.org
Washington, D.C.--Openly gay and lesbian candidates swept to victory in
local and state races across the country last night, according to results
released today by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. The group, which endorses
openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) candidates, endorsed a
slate of 79 contenders for 2009 races, a new record for a non-federal election
year. Of those, 49 won their races outright and six are still unfinished. 
Thirteen additional openly gay candidates also won Tuesday.
 
“This has
been the most successful non-federal election year in the Victory Fund’s
history,” said Chuck Wolfe, the group’s president and CEO.  “More candidates
were endorsed and more candidates won than ever before.  But just as important
is where they won. Some of these are true breakthrough victories that  have the
potential to change the political landscape in some communities,” Wolfe
added.
 
The Victory Fund now turns its attention to several runoff
elections, including Annise Parker’s historic run to become the next mayor of
Houston.  “We’re thrilled Annise finished in first place Tuesday night, but this
race has six more weeks left, so there’s really no time to celebrate.  We’re
focused on the finish line now,” Wolfe said.
 
Some highlights from
Tuesday night returns:
 

• Annise Parker advanced to a runoff in her race to become
  the next mayor of Houston.


• Charles Pugh will become Detroit’s first openly gay city
  councilmember after finishing first among 18 candidates for 9 at-large seats. 
  Placing first also means Pugh will become city council president.


• Steve Kornell won his race for the St. Petersburg, Fla.
  City Council, becoming the first openly LGBT candidate to do so.


• Sandra Kurt overcame anti-gay attacks to become the first
  openly LGBT member of the Akron, Ohio City Council.


• Simone Bell advanced to a runoff election in her race for
  the Georgia State House of Representatives.  Bell will become the country’s
  first openly lesbian African-American state legislator if she wins her runoff
  election.


• Eric Resnick won a seat on the Canton, Ohio school board.


• Mark Kleinschmidt was elected mayor of Chapel Hill,
  N.C.

Full results for all 79 Victory Fund races will be available
shortly on an Election Scorecard at www.victoryfund.org.
 
The Gay &
Lesbian Victory Fund is the only national organization dedicated to growing the
number of openly LGBT elected officials at all levels of government.  Today more
than 440 out elected officials are serving in public office, up from just 49
when the group was founded in 1991.