News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Oklahoma wind power has vast potential

Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth wrote the following article for Tulsa World, extolling the potential of wind energy.

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.

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.

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.

Jamie McLeod speaks on California marriage ruling

McLeod speaks with other leaders on the California Supreme Court ruling overturning the state's ban on marriage. See the video here.

Two Solano newspapers endorse Cabaldon

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Laurette Healey receives sole endorsement from the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs

The Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs has endorsed former Deputy State Controller Laurette Healey in the race for the 40th  Assembly District.

Kaufmann calls for apology from Rep. Rehberg

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

Lowe helps Gainesville pass non-discrimination ordinance

Out commissioner Craig Lowe joins fellow city commissioners in protecting the rights of transgender citizens.

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.

Primary election approaches in Milwaukee

Patrick Flaherty, a candidate for Milwaukee Common Council, faces a competitive Feb. 19 primary. His election would make him the council's first openly LGBT member.

AP: Washington state gains sixth LGBT legislator

Appointment of openly gay Democrat Marko Liias gives state six openly gay lawmakers. "Voters are making decisions on people's character, and not their sexual orientation," said state Sen. Ed Murray.

Salt Lake Tribune praises lesbian Utah Rep. Christine Johnson

Editorial supports Johnson's legislation aimed at protecting LGBT citizens from workplace discrimination.

Gusciora bills to improve municipal court system advance

The New Jersey Assembly's Judiciary Committee released three bills sponsored by out Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, which will greatly improve the efficiency of municipal courts by helping municipal prosecutors more effectively carry out their assignments. 

Next: Madame Mayor?

"I want every New Yorker to hear me when I say: We are ready."

Pettis outraises all other Democratic candidates in 80th Assembly District

End of the year campaign finance filings with the Secretary of State show that Cathedral City City Councilmember Greg Pettis (D) has raised more money than any of the four other Democratic candidates in the 80th Assembly District.

Sonoma County candidate Maddy Hirshfield featured in Bay Area Reporter

Paper reports that Sonoma County has the highest concentration of same-sex households in the state. "Considering that kind of demographic, it is about time we had somebody on the Board of Supervisors who can really support all the people," said Hirshfield.