ELECTION NIGHT 22: ALL THE STORIES YOU SHOULD KNOW
The 2022 Rainbow Wave has arrived!
“With so much at stake this election, from the future of marriage equality to abortion, LGBTQ candidates’ grit and exceptional grassroots support is paying off.” - Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund.
This election was one for the history books! While race results trickling in – we’re still tracking many West Coast campaigns, including Will Rollins in California, Jamie McLeod-Skinner in Oregon and Kris Mayes in Arizona – lavender ceilings were shattered on Election Night.
As of Friday afternoon, LGBTQ candidates have a 60% win rate in the general election and 436 have declared victory so far. We’ll be posting more wins as they roll in – follow along with us here!
You can also read coverage from the night in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Bloomberg, NBC News, USA Today, Axios, Paper Magazine, The Hill, Channel Q and NPR’s All Things Considered.
Here are some of the biggest stories from the night…
We Elected Not One but TWO Lesbian Governors, for the First Time Ever!
Maura Healey shattered a lavender ceiling when Massachusetts elected her to be the one of the first out lesbian governors in U.S. history. Maura not only became the first out LGBTQ governor of the state, but the first woman elected to the seat as well.
In her victory speech, Maura said: "Tonight, I want to say something to every little girl and every young LGBTQ person. I hope tonight shows you that you can be whatever you want to be. And nothing but your own imagination should ever get in the way.”
Tina Kotek also shattered a lavender ceiling in Oregon, becoming the other first out lesbian governor elected in U.S. history. This hard-fought and historic victory ensures a pro-LGBTQ and pro-choice leader is at the helm in Oregon.
Other historic firsts at the executive level include Erick Russell, who claimed victory in the race for Connecticut state Treasurer. Erick is officially one of the first Black out LGBTQ statewide executives elected in U.S. history!
The U.S. Congress: More LGBTQ leaders Than Ever
LGBTQ representation in the U.S. House will increase from nine to 11 – the most in history – and could increase to 13 out members! Here’s some of the big wins:
After a tough primary, Becca Balint crushed both the lavender and glass ceilings when she became the first woman and first out LGBTQ person elected to the U.S. Congress from Vermont. Vermont was the last state in the U.S. that had never sent a woman to Congress.
Robert Garcia has spent his career breaking barriers. He was Long Beach’s first out LGBTQ Mayor, not to mention its youngest. He made history again when he was elected to the U.S. Congress from California, becoming the first out LGBTQ immigrant ever to serve in the body.
Eric Sorensen claimed a huge victory in Illinois’ 17th Congressional District. This race came down to the wire, but Eric pulled it off to hold this pro-equality seat. He’s the first out LGBTQ Congressman from Illinois!
Incumbent candidates Angie Craig (Minnesota), Sharice Davids (Kansas) and Chris Pappas (New Hampshire), who all faced anti-choice and anti-LGBTQ opponents, are earned their reelections and are headed back to the U.S. House!
Trans and Non-Binary Candidates Celebrate Progress
At a time of intensifying transphobia at all levels of government and society, trans people – and trans men in particular – remain severely underrepresented in government at every level. But trans and non-binary candidates made strong headway on Tuesday night, racking up historic wins across the country.
In New Hampshire, James Roesener won his race for the state legislature, becoming the first out trans man elected to any state legislature in the county. Trans men are woefully underrepresented at all levels of government, and James’s victory will undoubtedly inspire many more to seek public office.
In Minnesota, Leigh Finke claimed victory in her race for the state legislator, officially becoming the first out trans person elected to the state. She won with a whopping 81% of the vote!
Montana will also have trans representation in the state House! Both SJ Howell & Zooey Zephyr both WON their campaigns! SJ is the first out non-binary member of the Montana state legislature, while Zooey is the first out trans person ever elected to the Montana legislature! Zooey was inspired to run after testifying against an anti-trans bill that passed in the state.
Equality Pays off in the State Legislatures
Anti-LGBTQ bills have found a home in our state legislatures and local seats in recent years – but LGBTQ candidates stepped up to vote back. And they racked up huge wins!
Kameron Nelson restored LGBTQ representation to the South Dakota legislature, while Texans elected three (!) Black out LGBTQ candidates to the state House: Venton Jones, Christian Manuel-Hayes and Jolanda Jones. Earlier this year, Jolanda made history as the first Black out LGBTQ woman elected to the Texas legislature when she clinched her special election. Now, Venton and Christian are the first two Black out LGBTQ men to serve in the body!
In addition to Leigh’s historic win, Minnesota also elected its first Black out LGBTQ women to the state legislature this year – a series of historic firsts long overdue. Erin Maye Quade and Clare Oumou Verbeten will both join the state Senate!
In Michigan, Jason Hoskins clinched history as the first out LGBTQ person of color ever elected to the state legislature! Read up his legislative plans here.
And last but certainly not least, Alaska used to be on the only states that had never elected an out LGBTQ state legislature. Now there will be two! Jennie Armstrong and Andrew Gray are going to add much-needed representation in Alaska and be the first out LGBTQ voices elected to the legislature!
RUNOFF ALERT!
Four LGBTQ candidates will be headed to a runoff (so far!). Spotlight candidate Celia Israel, running for Austin, TX Mayor, claimed first place but fell just shy of the threshold needed to win. She’s back on the campaign trail for her Dec. 13th election. You’ve got this, Celia!
Jennifer Williams, running for the Trenton (NJ) City Council, Genece Minshew, running for the Fernandina Beach (FL) City Commission, and Brian Alston-Carter, running for the Sumter (SC) School District Board of Trustees, will also head to runoffs. More details and election dates to come!
CELEBRATE WITH US: LGBTQ Victory Institute's International LGBTQ Leaders Conference
Join LGBTQ Victory Institute in Washington, D.C. November 30 - December 3 for the International LGBTQ Leaders Conference! LGBTQ Victory Institute's annual conference brings together over 600 LGBTQ elected officials, leaders and advocates from across the world who are working to move equality forward. The conference includes four days of networking and building as we strategize the year ahead in our movement for equality.
There will also be a special Elected Officials Summit on Thursday, Dec. 1 from 7:45am - 3:45pm featuring workshops and panels geared towards supporting elected officials throughout their journey in office. This is a valuable opportunity to build community and learn from fellow elected officials across the world. Click here to register today!
