From "Gay Candidates Victorious Across the U.S." posted 11/07/07 at PRNewswire.com
Dozens of openly gay and lesbian candidates running in municipal and state legislative races across the country won their elections Tuesday, according to the Gay & Lesbian
Victory Fund. Of the record 71 candidates endorsed by the group in 2007, at
least 31 won their races on Tuesday, while 10 were elected earlier this
year. At least three more endorsed candidates received enough votes to
advance to runoff elections.
Victory Fund president and CEO Chuck Wolfe said the growing number of
out candidates demonstrates the gay community's increasing involvement in
electoral politics. "This is the path to change. We are not content to sit
on the sidelines and hope that others do the right thing for our community.
We will step up and lead the fight for a more equal and fair America, and
we will win," Wolfe said.
Among the highlights Tuesday:
-- Joel Burns, a candidate for the Fort Worth, Tex., City Council
advanced to a December runoff election as the top vote-getter after being
subject to anti-gay smears from an opponent.
-- Craig Covey won his race for mayor of Ferndale, Mich., becoming the
first openly gay mayor elected in the state of Michigan.
-- Michelle Bruce, an openly transgender incumbent on the Riverdale,
Ga., City Council was the top vote-getter in her race and advances to a
runoff election.
-- New Jersey State Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, who became the state's
first openly LGBT state legislator when he came out publicly during his
current term, won re-election to his seat.
-- Jeffrey Anderson was elected to the Duluth City Council, becoming
the first openly gay elected official in northern Minnesota.
-- Tim Eustace won his race for mayor of Maywood, N.J.
-- Brian Bates, won a seat on the Doraville, Ga., City Council,
becoming the first openly gay Republican ever to win office in the state.
-- Lydia Lavelle won a seat on the Carrboro, N.C., Board of Aldermen,
becoming the seventh openly LGBT candidate ever elected in the state.
Read the whole report.
