Washington, DC — Today LGBTQ Victory Fund endorsed candidate Jim Obergefell advanced to the November election after running unopposed in the Democratic primary for Ohio state House District 89. He is the named plaintiff of the landmark marriage equality case Obergefell v. Hodges, which ruled that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples.
Obergefell's success tonight comes just two weeks after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Respect for Marriage Act to enshrine the Obergefell ruling into federal law. Tammy Baldwin, the first out LGBTQ Senator in U.S. history, is now leading efforts in the Senate to pass the bill.
Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, issued the following statement about Obergefell's success tonight:
"Many within the LGBTQ community look to Jim for leadership and inspiration during trying times. It is encouraging that his call to action for the LGBTQ community — that we must remain united in our shared fight for a more equitable future for the next generation of LGBTQ people — has been delivered on the campaign trail as a candidate himself. We are confident that come November, he will prove a skilled legislator with the political wherewithal to get meaningful reform done. His success is also a rallying cry to the LGBTQ community and our allies that we won't stop organizing, we won't stop running for office and we won't back down."
Obergefell issued the following statement:
"This is a critical election for the LGBTQ community. When I win this election, I will work hard to improve the lives of the people in my district and across Ohio by increasing jobs and opportunities, improving access to affordable healthcare and protecting our environment. With so much at stake for our nation, I will also be a voice and advocate for all Ohioans and especially underserved and marginalized communities."
More information about all of Victory Fund's endorsed candidates is available at www.victoryfund.org/ourcandidates.
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.
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