Political SPOTLIGHT

Rainbow Wave
Every state had several LGBTQ candidates with a record number of winners

USA LGBTQ gay pride flag map

Almost 400+ LGBTQ candidates, with votes still coming in, who ran in the 2022 midterms have won their elections and surpassed the previous record of 336 set in 2020. That is an 18.1 percent increase. At least 1,065 out LGBTQ people ran for office this year – a historic number.

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

“Bigots tried their best to undermine our political power — but their hate backfired and motivated more LGBTQ people to run and win than ever before. Tonight’s Rainbow Wave is a clear rebuke to the increased homophobia and transphobia sweeping our communities — and proves voters want to elect qualified LGBTQ leaders. 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.”

Instead of posting an editorial full of congratulations, we will leave you with more than a dozen headlines that speak for themselves.

Tina Kotek Makes LGBTQ History; Becomes One of the First Two Lesbian Governors in U.S. History

Erick Russell Shatters Lavender Ceiling; First Black LGBTQ Person Ever Elected Statewide in U.S. History

Dana Nessel Wins Reelection; Remains First and Only LGBTQ Person Elected Statewide in Michigan

Jennie Armstrong and Andrew Gray Shatter Lavender Ceilings; First LGBTQ People Ever Elected to the Alaska State Legislature

Kameron Nelson Makes LGBTQ History; Restores LGBTQ Representation to the South Dakota Legislature

Eric Sorensen Shatters Lavender Ceiling; First LGBTQ Person Ever Elected to Congress from Illinois

Zooey Zephyr Shatters Lavender Ceiling; First Trans Person Ever Elected to the Montana State Legislature

Angie Craig Wins Reelection; Remains First and Only LGBTQ Member of Congress from Minnesota

Erin Maye Quade and Clare Oumou Verbeten Become First LGBTQ Women and First Black Women Ever Elected to the Minnesota State Senate; LGBTQ Representation in the State Legislature More Than Doubles

Leigh Finke Makes History as the First Trans Person Ever Elected to the Minnesota State Legislature

Robert Garcia Shatters Lavender Ceiling; First LGBTQ Immigrant Ever Elected to Congress

Celia Israel Advances to Run-Off in Austin Mayoral Race; Would Be First LGBTQ Person Elected Mayor of Austin

Chris Pappas Remains the First and Only LGBTQ Member of Congress from New Hampshire

Sharice Davids Wins Reelection; Remains First and Only LGBTQ Member of Congress from Kansas

Black LGBTQ Representation Triples in Texas Legislature; Christian Manuel-Hayes, Venton Jones and Jolanda Jones Shatter Lavender Ceilings

Jason Hoskins Shatters Lavender Ceiling; First LGBTQ Person of Color Ever Elected to the Michigan State Legislature

Maura Healey Shatters Lavender Ceiling in Massachusetts; No U.S. State Had Ever Elected a Lesbian Governor

James Roesener Shatters Lavender Ceiling; First Trans Man Elected to a State Legislature in U.S. History

Becca Balint Shatters Lavender and Glass Ceilings; First LGBTQ Person and First Woman Elected to Congress from Vermont

Keturah Herron Shatters Lavender Ceiling; Remains Kentucky’s First and Only LGBTQ State Representative