The Victory Fund

LGBTQ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office, named Danica Roem a 2023 LGBTQ ‘Spotlight’ candidate, a designation given to candidates with exceptional potential to be national leaders of the LGBTQ equality movement.

Roem, who currently serves in the Virginia House of Delegates, made history in 2017 when she became the first out-and-seated trans state legislator in American history. There are currently just nine trans state lawmakers serving in the U.S., according to LGBTQ Victory Institute.

“Danica is a remarkable leader who consistently shows both grit and compassion when delivering results for her community, from improving Virginia’s infrastructure to fighting for reproductive rights. As bigots in Richmond continue to introduce anti-LGBTQ bills – most of which target trans kids – we know Danica will not back down. We are proud to continue supporting Danica and are confident that come November, she will shatter yet another lavender ceiling and become the first trans person ever elected to a state Senate in the South,” said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund.

_________________

LGBTQ Victory Fund

LGBTQ Victory Fund works to achieve and sustain equality by increasing the number of openly LGBTQ elected officials at all levels of government while ensuring they reflect the diversity of those they serve. Since 1991, Victory Fund has helped thousands of openly LGBTQ candidates win local, state and federal elections.

victoryfund.org

LGBTQ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office, named Nick Hellyar and Mario Castillo 2023 LGBTQ ‘Spotlight’ candidates, a designation given to candidates with exceptional potential to be national leaders of the LGBTQ equality movement. Hellyar is running for Houston City Council, At-Large, Position 2 and Castillo is running for Houston City Council, District H.

Robert Gallegos is currently the only out LGBTQ elected official in Houston, according to LGBTQ Victory Institute. Since Council Member Gallegos is not running for reelection, the city is now at risk of losing LGBTQ representation in city government for the first time since 1998.

“Nick and Mario represent the best of Houston. They firmly believe that government works best when it reflects the diversity and strength of its people. Their fresh, exciting vision for the future is rooted in years of public service and community organizing, which is why voters are so enthusiastic about their campaigns. With anti-LGBTQ hate continuing to sweep across the state, strengthening LGBTQ representation in local government could not be more important. Nick and Mario are exceptional leaders and I am confident that under their leadership, all Houstonians will thrive,” said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund.

“Houston has had an LGBTQ member on City Council since Annise Parker’s historic victory. Now, Houston is at risk of being the largest city in the country without LGBTQ representation. This is unacceptable. I am excited to work with LGBTQ Victory Fund to ensure our community’s voice continues to be heard at City Council and throughout Houston,” said Hellyar.

“LGBTQ leaders like former Mayor Annise Parker have transformed Houston for the better, and I will work hard every day to carry on that tradition. We all belong to many communities – I am a Houstonian, a cis gay man, a Latino, a nonprofit leader, and so much more. LGBTQ Victory Fund sees and helps elevate the intersectionality of all these communities. I am deeply honored to have earned their endorsement,” said Castillo.

_________________

LGBTQ Victory Fund

LGBTQ Victory Fund works to achieve and sustain equality by increasing the number of openly LGBTQ elected officials at all levels of government while ensuring they reflect the diversity of those they serve. Since 1991, Victory Fund has helped thousands of openly LGBTQ candidates win local, state and federal elections.

victoryfund.org

Throughout her childhood, Rep. Herod’s parents, an Army veteran and a police officer, emphasized the importance of serving one’s community, and that helping others is always the right thing to do. The noble teachings of her parents inspired her to encourage many students of color, LGBTQ+ students, and first-generation students at her college, the University of Colorado-Boulder, to run for student government. While in college, she became the Student Body President, managing a $36 million budget. After serving the students at her college, Leslie made an impact on the 2012 presidential election as President Obama’s Deputy Political Director for Colorado, and later gained government experience as the Governor’s Senior Policy Advisor. Finally, Rep. Herod ran for state House to help the people in her district, becoming the first out LGBTQ+ Black person elected to the Colorado legislature.  

An experienced lawmaker and social justice reform advocate
Rep. Herod has served with the mission of improving the lives of all Coloradoans and passed over 150 pieces of legislation in her tenure. Working with community activists and police departments, Leslie championed a successful alternative policing program that deploys trained mental health workers and paramedics to respond to 911 calls involving mental health crises and substance misuse. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee and Joint Budget Committee, she has delivered a $36B balanced budget for Colorado. Now Rep. Herod is ready to bring that same approach of putting results over politics to the Denver Mayor’s office. 

A trailblazer 
Having broken barriers by becoming the first out LGBTQ+ Black person elected to the Colorado legislature, Leslie hopes to continue breaking barriers in the Centennial State. If elected Mayor of Denver, Leslie will be the first woman ever elected as Mayor of Denver. The LGBTQ+ Victory Fund is proud to endorse Rep. Leslie Herod at the Spotlight level as she faces a crowded field in this race. 

 LGBTQ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office, endorsed Rue Landau for Philadelphia City Council, At-Large. Victory Fund named her a 2023 LGBTQ ‘Spotlight’ candidate, a designation given to candidates with exceptional potential to be national leaders of the LGBTQ equality movement.

If elected, Landau would be the first out LGBTQ person ever elected to the Philadelphia City Council. Philadelphia is the only major U.S. city to have never elected an out LGBTQ person to city council.

“For far too long, Philadelphia’s vibrant LGBTQ community has lacked equitable representation on city council – with the wounds to show for it. As an attorney with a long track record of increasing pathways to affordable housing, strengthening protections for women in the workplace and enacting civil rights protections for marginalized populations – including the LGBTQ community – Rue has spent her entire career on the front lines of forging a more equitable Philadelphia. We are confident that her bright vision for the city and ability to bring diverse coalitions of people together will not just make her an exceptional council member, but a vital voice for equality throughout Pennsylvania and the country,” said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund.

“I am honored to have earned the endorsement of LGBTQ Victory Fund for my race for Philadelphia City Council. Representation matters – our city is ready to elect our first openly LGBTQ member of Council, and this year, we will make history,” said Landau.

_________________

LGBTQ Victory Fund

LGBTQ Victory Fund works to achieve and sustain equality by increasing the number of openly LGBTQ elected officials at all levels of government while ensuring they reflect the diversity of those they serve. Since 1991, Victory Fund has helped thousands of openly LGBTQ candidates win local, state and federal elections.

victoryfund.org

LGBTQ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office, endorsed 26 more out LGBTQ candidates running in 2023. Victory Fund has now endorsed 56 candidates running in the 2023 cycle.

Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, released the following statement:

“For the LGBTQ community, there is no such thing as an ‘off’ year. With more than 100 anti-LGBTQ bills already introduced in 2023, there is more urgency than ever to elect pro-equality leaders to office. From school boards to city councils to state legislatures, we need LGBTQ voices in rooms of power to change hearts and minds and stand up for our rights and freedoms. There is too much at stake to sit on the sidelines or be complacent.” 

The complete list of candidate endorsements announced today is below:

Spotlight Candidates

Mario Castillo (he/him)
Houston City Council, District H, TX
General: 11/7/2023

Nick Hellyar (he/him)
Houston City Council, At-Large 2, TX
General: 11/7/2023

Leslie Herod (she/her)
Mayor of Denver, CO
Primary: 4/4/2023

Rue Landau (she/her)
Philadelphia City Council At-Large, PA
Primary: 05/16/2023
General: 11/07/2023

Danica Roem (she/her)
Virginia State Senate, District 30, VA
Primary: 6/20/2023
General: 11/7/2023

General Candidates

Erik Clarke (he/him)
Denver City Auditor, CO
Primary: 4/4/2023

Jonathan Dromgoole (he/him)
Arlington County Board, At-Large, VA
Primary: 06/20/2023
General: 11/07/2023

Jessica Fuentes (she/they)
Chicago City Council, Ward 26, IL
General: 02/28/2023
Runoff: 4/4/2023

Gregg Kravitz (he/him)
Philadelphia City Controller, PA
Primary: 05/16/2023
General: 11/07/2023

Megan Mathias (she/her)
Chicago City Council, Ward 45, IL
General: 02/28/2023
Runoff: 4/4/2023

Aja Owens (she/her)
Mayor of Jennings, MO
General: 04/04/2023

Abigail Salisbury (she/her)
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 34, PA
General: 02/07/2023

Incumbents

Zach Adamson (he/him)
Indianapolis City Council, District 13, IN
Primary: 5/02/2023
General: 11/07/2023

Emily Benedict (she/her)
Nashville Metro Council, District 7, TN
General: 08/03/2023

Eli Bohnert (he/him)
West Scioto Area Commissioner, OH
General: 4/01/2023

Erik Bottcher (he/him)
New York City Council, District 3, NY
Primary: 06/27/2023
General: 11/07/2023

Tiffany Cabán (she/her)
New York City Council, District 22, NY
Primary: 06/27/2023
General: 11/07/2023

Peter Criswell (he/him)
Ulster County Legislator, District 7, NY
Primary: 06/27/2023
General: 11/07/2023

Karl Frisch (he/him)
Fairfax County School Board, Providence District, VA
General: 11/07/2023

Crystal Hudson (she/her)
New York City Council, District 35, NY
Primary: 06/27/2023
General: 11/07/2023

Kristin Richardson Jordan (she/her)
New York City Council, District 9, NY
Primary: 06/27/2023
General: 11/07/2023

David Ledonne (he/him)
Wakefield Board of Assessors, MA
General: 04/25/2023

Jimmy Monto (he/him)
Syracuse Common Council, District 5, NY
Primary: 06/27/2023
General: 11/07/2023

Omar Narvaez (he/him)
Dallas City Council, District 6, TX
General: 05/06/2023

Chi Osse (he/him)
New York City Council, District 36, NY
Primary: 06/27/2023
General: 11/07/2023

Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (he/him)
Chicago City Council Alderperson, Ward 35, IL
General: 02/28/2023
Runoff: 4/4/2023

Lynn Schulman (she/her)
New York City Council, District 29, NY
Primary: 06/27/2023
General: 11/07/2023

Marsha Silverman (she/her)
Glen Cove City Council, NY
General: 11/7/2023

Michael Verveer (he/him)
Madison Common Council, District 4, WI
Primary: 02/21/23
General: 04/04/23

Zach Young (he/him)
Nashville Metro Council, District 10, TN
General: 08/03/2023

More information about all of Victory Fund’s endorsed candidates is available at victoryfund.org/ourcandidates.