Four Stories You Should Know About
1. Victory Fund Endorses Zooey Zephyr for Montana House of Representatives
On Tuesday, Victory Fund endorsed Zooey Zephyr (@ZoAndBehold) for Montana House of Representatives!
Zooey was inspired to run for office after campaigning against anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ bills introduced into the Montana House. Zooey, who gave testimony during the bills’ hearings, noted that there were no trans elected officials to speak out. Read more about her testimony here!
Victory Fund named Zephyr a Spotlight candidate, a designation given to state or local candidates in history-making races. Zooey will be the first out trans person ever elected in Montana when she wins!
There are currently only six out LGBTQ elected officials in Montana and just eight out trans state legislators in the entire country.
2. C-FAIR & LGBTQ Victory Fund Endorse Keturah Herron for KY House District 42 Special Election
On Monday, C-FAIR & LGBTQ Victory Fund endorsed Keturah Herron (@KeturahHerron) in the Kentucky special election for House District 42. Election Day is Tuesday, February 22! Keturah is also campaigning in the general election, which will take place later this year.
This district encompasses the southern portion of the city of Louisville. The seat was vacated by Reginald Meeks, who represented the 42nd district in the Kentucky state house for 20 years.
Herron, a former policy analyst for the ACLU of Kentucky, was a leader in passing “Breonna’s Law” in Louisville, which bans no-knock warrants. Herron will be Kentucky’s first out LGBTQ state representative if elected!
3. Bigoted Attack Made Against Mayoral Candidate in Boynton Beach, FL
An opponent of Victory Fund-endorsed Ty Penserga (@TyPenserga), said in a Facebook Live video:
“He’s gay. He wants to make this a gay city. That’s not Boynton culture.” He continued: “I’ll call him what I will, and I tell his gay butt this, if you’re gay, you’re gay. I’m a real man. I’m a real man.
Reverend Bernard Wright issued this incoherent, nearly 40-minute rant in the parking lot of a gas station. In addition to his homophobic comments, he also made anti-Asian statements and repeated misinformation about vaccinations.
Wright continued about Ty, “He’s just an Asian student, he’s a migrant here… and he’s staying with his mother. He has no life experiences at all.”
This flat-out racist putdown is also a lie. Ty graduated from Temple University, Philadelphia where he earned his bachelor's degree in Chemistry and Biology. While in college, he served as a Senator representing the College of Science to Temple’s Student Government. He received the prestigious Diamond Award for his leadership, community service, and the creation of a longitudinal mentoring pipeline to uplift underprivileged teens.
Read more about Ty’s stellar record as an academic and current Vice Mayor for Boynton Beach.
4. Celebrating Black History Month
This month, we'll be highlighting the phenomenal Black LGBTQ leaders who paved the way. But there's still so much history to make. Today, there are just 101 out LGBTQ Black officials in the entire country. In 2022, Victory Fund will recruit and support more LGBTQ candidates than at any time in our history. Learn more about Black LGBTQ candidates and how to support their campaigns here!
5. Victory Fund Endorsed Congressional Candidates Report Fundraising Numbers
Becca Balint (@BeccaBalintVT): Becca is running for the U.S. Congress and will be the first out LGBTQ person to represent Vermont in the U.S. House. She raised over $200,000 and has $190,000 cash on hand.
Chris Pappas (@ChrisPappasNH): Chris set fundraising records in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District by raising $490,000 in the last quarter. He is running to remain an LGBTQ voice from New Hampshire in the U.S. Congress. Many from the other side of the aisle have lined up to take on Chris and at least three potential challengers are anti-LGBTQ.
Heather Mizeur (@heathermizeur): Heather set a fundraising record by reporting $1.32 million raised in 2021. Heather is currently running to flip Maryland’s 1st Congressional District. The seat is currently held by insurrectionist U.S. Congressman Andy Harris, who raised $600,000 less than Heather last year.
Brian Sims (@BrianSimsPA): Brian’s campaign for Pennsylvania Lt. Governor raised over $670,000, which is more money in the year leading up to a primary than any other Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor. Last year, Sims received a total of 14,520 donations including support from Pennsylvania’s 67 counties and 50 U.S. states, showing both statewide and national support for his campaign.
In 2012, Sims became the first out LGBTQ state legislator in Pennsylvania history. When elected, Sims will be the first out LGBTQ Lieutenant Governor of a U.S. state.
