News

Candidate & Campaign Training coming to Minneapolis, Minn.

Dozens of openly LGBT future candidates and campaign workers will gather in Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 3-6 for a Candidate and Campaign Training sponsored by the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute.  Apply today.http://www.glli.org/about_us/events/id:57

Victory Fund congratulates Oscar winners Penn, Black

Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, issued the following statement regarding the Academy Awards:

Newark, Delaware city councilman comes out

Newark, Del. City Councilman Ezra Temko publicly came out as bisexual in an an interview with the Newark Post today. He spoke to the paper about his relationship with his boyfriend Drew.http://www.gaypolitics.com/2009/02/12/newark-delaware-city-councilman-comes-out-as-bisexual/

Zipprich sworn in to Red Bank Borough Council

Ed Zipprich was sworn in to his first term on the Red Bank, N.J. Borough Council.

Sciortino wins write-in campaign

After being forced to run for re-election on a sticker campaign, Massachusetts Rep. Carl Sciortino won his Democratic primary last night by a wide margin. Sciortino defeated Somerville Alderman Bob Trane.

Massachusetts governor campaigns with Orozco

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick joined state Senate candidate Sara Orozco for an event at the Wellesley College Club last week. U.S. Congressman Barney Frank also attended.

California legislature passes Harvey Milk Day resolution

Legislation, authored by openly gay assembly member Mark Leno, will recognize May 22 as Harvey Milk Day. The bill now goes to the governor's desk for final approval.

Barbour victorious in Rehoboth Beach

Incumbent city commissioner Dennis Barbour edged out his opponent to keep his seat. Now, he says, it's time to "get back to doing the people’s business."

Colona wins in Missouri House race

Michael Colona has won his competitive primary for the Missouri House of Representatives.  He faces no opposition in the general election.

Yellow Scene endorses Polis in congressional race

Magazine endorses Victory endorsee amid an extremely competitive race, saying he "won our confidence through personality, devotion to helping others, smarts and savvy that has us believing he’ll make an impact in Washington."

Inga Taylor campaigns in Kansas

In anticipation of her Aug. 5 election, Victory endorsee Inga Taylor has been campaigning hard to win a seat in the Kansas House of Representatives. Her election would take Kansas off the list of states with no gay representation in the legislature.

Florida AFL-CIO Unanimously Endorses Mark LaFontaine

Florida House candidate and Victory endorsee Mark LaFontaine received the unanimous endorsement of the Florida AFL-CIO for District 92.  The Florida AFL-CIO represents 500,000 workers, retirees and their families. 

Kraus helps pass Pittsburgh domestic partnership registry

The Pittsburgh City Council gave final approval today to a domestic partner registry. Openly gay city council member and former Victory Fund endorsee Bruce Kraus wrote the legislation.

Birmingham school board votes to keep law firms

Howard Bayless, chair of the finance committee, said it's the board's duty to constituents to pursue the lowest-cost, highest-quality legal services for the system.

Bliss wins Maine primary

Larry Bliss won his Democratic primary by a wide margin on Tuesday. Bliss, who seeks a seat in the Maine State Senate, will advance to a general election where he is heavily favored.

Veiga helps pass Colorado non-discrimination law

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter signed a bill outlawing discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people when seeking housing. Openly lesbian state Rep. Jennifer Veiga introduced the bill.

Express Gay News reports on Victory Fund endorsement of Mark LaFontaine

Express Gay News reports on the Victory Fund's endorsement of Mark LaFontaine.

Victory candidates vie for office in Oregon

Victory-endorsed candidates Sam Adams and Kate Brown face potentially decisive primaries this evening as voters turn in their ballots. Adams hopes to become the next mayor of Portland while Brown seeks the office of Secretary of State.

Two Solano newspapers endorse Cabaldon

Both of Solano's daily newspapers have enthusiastically endorsed Cabaldon's candidacy.

Randi Shade unseats incumbent

Victory Fund-endorsed candidate Randi Shade won a seat on the Austin City Council on Saturday, soundly defeating incumbent Jennifer Kim. She will be the city's first openly gay councilmember.

Webb becomes Virginia's first gay African-American elected to office

In his first bid for elected office, Lawrence Webb won a seat on the Falls Church City Council by a margin of 39 votes. The Victory Fund's political staff launched an intense get-out-the-vote effort to secure the win.

Laurette Healey gets an A on education

California Community Colleges Vice Chancellor Dr. Tod Burnett and Los Angeles Community College Board Trustee Georgia Mercer have endorsed 40th District State Assembly Candidate Laurette Healey.

Victory Fund releases annual report

New publication reveals that nearly 90 percent of the Victory Fund's budget goes directly to training and support of LGBT candidates. Read the entire report online here.

Sam Adams approaches pivotal 50 percent mark in mayoral race

Portland City Commissioner and mayoral candidate Sam Adams has nearly reached the 50 percent mark according to a recent poll. If Adams pulls in more than half of the vote in his primary, he will not face a general election.

Austin American-Statesman endorses Randi Shade

The newspaper backs Shade over incumbent Jennifer Kim, stating that Shade "has experience running a business, impressive credentials and readiness to tackle the tough challenges facing Austin."

Kevin Lee advances in race for state legislature

Lee defeated his Democratic primary opponent by a margin of 58 percent to 42 percent. If he wins the competitive general election, he would become the state's only openly gay legislator.

Health care workers endorse Hirshfield

Four influential unions representing thousands of nurses, heath care workers and teachers in Sonoma County have endorsed Maddy Hirshfield in the race for 5th District Supervisor.

Statesman Journal endorses Brown for secretary of state

Salem newspaper writes: Her nine years as Senate majority leader gave her experience in working with colleagues, other elected officials and everyday Oregonians.

Webb campaigns in northern Virginia

April's candidate of the month, Lawrence Webb, hopes to become Falls Church, Va.'s next city councilmember. Having already picked up key endorsements, he would be the state's first gay African American to hold public office.

Bullying accusations at the Capitol

State Representatives including Jeanette Mott-Oxford came forward Thursday, saying fellow Representative Jane Cunningham discriminated against students during a recent lobbying day because of how they looked, and possibly their sexual orientation.http://www.krcg.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=119806

Mott Oxford cites students' appearance with legislators meeting refusal

The office of Jeanette Mott Oxford (D-St. Louis) put out a press release Thursday claiming State Rep. Jane Cunningham refused to meet with students Desiree Bain and Austyn Langston of Jackson County because “she found their appearance very difficult to look at.”http://www.pubdef.net/2008/04/11/did-cunningham-snub-anti-bullying-teens/

Pettis leads by 7 points in new poll

An independent poll conducted last week showed Greg Pettis in a commanding position to win the Democratic primary in California's 80th Assembly District.

Lehmberg trounces opponent in Texas D.A. runoff

Rosemary Lehmberg defeated Mindy Montford last night, earning 65 percent of the vote in the runoff election for Travis County district attorney. With no Republican challenger, Lehmberg will be the presumptive winner of the general election.

Sinema serves as leader on LGBT issues in Arizona legislature

Rep. Kyrsten Sinema has made headlines in Arizona through her LGBT advocacy, helping to effectively kill a state ban on marriage equality as well as launching a petition drive to make anti-gay discrimination illegal.

Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles endorse Healey

Victory candidate Laurette Healey has been endorsed by the Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles in her bid for California State Assembly.

Lehmberg endorsed for Travis County, Texas DA

Victory endorsee Rosemary Lehmberg received the endorsement of the Austin American-Statesman. The paper said the Lehmberg, whose runoff election is April 8, has experience her competition can't match.

Christopher Cabaldon gets endorsement of California Democrats

The current mayor of West Sacramento won the support of the state Democratic Club in his bid for California state Assembly.

Wesley Chesbro endorses Sonoma County supervisor candidate Maddy Hirshfield

"She understands what’s at stake and has always done what’s right. She will be an excellent supervisor,” the former state senator said.

America is listening to Kern's anti-gay tirade

Since Friday, the remarks made by Rep. Kern have spread far and wide. Margaret Cho and Ellen DeGeneres have condemned her speech and the original YouTube clip has surpassed 700,000 views.

An open letter to Sally Kern

From Victory Fund CEO Chuck Wolfe: The point is this: your words have consequences. Ask Judy Shepherd -- her son, Matthew, was viciously murdered ten years ago by people who think like you.

Pettis receives labor, Democratic endorsements

Cathedral City Councilmember Greg Pettis scored the endorsement of local and national progressive leaders last week, picking up the support of Progressive Majority, the Palm Springs Democratic Club and the San Diego/Imperial County Central Labor Council.

Frank among he most powerful members of Congress

U.S. Rep. Barney Frank is the seventh most powerful member of the House of Representatives, according to a report released this week. Fellow Bay State Democrats Sens. Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry were ranked second and 12th in the Senate, respectively.

We're listening...

Last week, the Victory Fund released an audio recording of an Oklahoma state legislator speaking at a public meeting. She proceeded to make some jaw-dropping assertions about the LGBT community.

Gay Washington legislators celebrate expanded partnership rights

“There has been a profound shift in public understanding. It’s important for us to do as much as we can to protect our families,” said Washington state Rep. Jamie Pedersen.

Four Victory endorsees advance after Texas primary election

Lupe Valdez, Rosemary Lehmberg, Andres Pereira and Steve Kirkland will all move on to runoff or general elections. Valdez defeated three opponents, winning more than 50 percent of the vote and avoiding a runoff.

Outgoing DA endorses Lehmberg for Travis County DA

"She has risen to the position of first assistant precisely because of her leadership qualities, her judgment and her ability to set that crucial tone of respectfulness that brings people together," he said.

Groups hope to boost gay black political leadership

The National Conference of Black Political Scientists and the Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute announced the establishment of the Bayard Rustin Award, honoring contributions to the field of political science on the topic of LGBT African-Americans in electoral politics.

Flaherty wins primary election

Patrick Flaherty, candidate for Milwakee's Common Council, emerged as the top vote-getter in his primary election last night. He will go up against the second-place finisher in the general election on April 1.

Connecticut legislator comes out

Connecticut State Rep. Jason Bartlett publicly came out today during a meeting with The News-Times. The announcement makes Bartlett the state’s first and only openly LGBT African American state legislator.

Kaufmann calls for apology from Rep. Rehberg

Out official and Victory endorsee Christine Kaufmann wants Republican congressman to apologize for an anti-gay gag.