Press Release

Victory Fund endorses record number of openly LGBT candidates

Tue, Sep 29th 2009, 12:44

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Denis Dison (202) 842-7308, denis.dison@victoryfund.org

Washington, D.C.—The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund today announced it has endorsed 76 openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) political candidates in 2009, making this endorsement slate the group’s largest ever in an non-federal election year.

Chuck Wolfe, the Victory Fund’s president and CEO, said the record number of endorsed candidates in 2009 bodes well for progress in the near future:  “LGBT officials are our best hope of reaching full equality for all Americans.  By running openly and honestly, they're changing the political landscape.  When elected, they’ll be our voice inside government, and that is irreplaceable.”

The Victory Fund is the nation’s largest LGBT political action committee, and the only national organization dedicated to increasing the number of out elected officials at all levels of government.  Since its founding in 1991, the number of openly LGBT elected officials in the U.S. has grown from less than 50 to more than 450. For more information, visit www.victoryfund.org .

10 Victory Fund Highlight Races:

• Nickie Antonio - Candidate for Lakewood, Ohio City Council
• Simone Bell - Candidate for Georgia State House
• Fred Chang - Candidate for Port Orchard, Washington City council
• Rob Holland - Candidate for Seattle, Washington Port Commission
• Steve Kornell - Candidate for St. Petersburg, Florida City Council
• Annise Parker - Candidate for Mayor of Houston, Texas
• Charles Pugh - Candidate for Detroit, Michigan City Council
• Christine Quinn - Candidate for New York City Council
• Amaad Rivera - Candidate for Springfield, Massachusetts City Council
• Jack Zatz - Candidate for Marlboro, New Jersey Township Council