Primaries Demonstrate Strength of LGBTQ Candidates Nationwide

Last night’s primary elections demonstrated the diversity of candidates being put forth, especially candidates that identify as LGBTQ.  Despite a political climate that appears hostile, LGBTQ candidates made great strides last night and signal that the electorate is motivated and reacting to the policies and tone of the Trump Administration and GOP held Congress.

The 2018 mid term elections were always going to be dramatic and pivotal, but with a record number of LGBTQ gubernatorial candidates running across the country, November’s election will have heightened drama.

After transgender woman Christine Hallquist won the Democratic primary for Vermont governor last night, there are now four LGBTQ gubernatorial candidates.  All four candidates are members of the Democratic Party and are as follows:

• Lupe Valdez, a lesbian woman running in Texas.
• Jared Polis, a gay man running in Colorado.
• Kate Brown, a bisexual woman who’s the incumbent governor of Oregon.
• Christine Hallquist, a transgender woman running in Vermont.

In a statement made to the Washington Blade in May, Hallquist said her win in November would be a “positive signal for all LGBTQ people” as she would not only be the first transgender governor, but lead a rural state.

“Typically, rural communities have been viewed as less affirming,” Hallquist said. “Marginalized communities have historically had problems with winning executive positions. For too long leadership has been associated with masculinity and the dominant culture. Vermonters choosing me, a trans-woman, as their governor, would expand the realm of possibility for generations to come. My success would mark a new milestone in acceptance.”

In Congressional elections , Gina Ortiz Jones could be the first openly LGBTQ person elected to House of Representatives from Texas and David Richardson could become the first openly LGBTQ Congressman from Florida.

Fasten your seatbelts!  This fall is going to be exciting.

If you are not registered to vote, you may do so here:

https://www.elections.virginia.gov/registration/how-to-register/index.html