Washington, DC — Erie School Board President Tyler Titus (they/them) has won the Democratic primary for county executive in Erie County, Pennsylvania — declaring victory today at 4pm ET after a close election with three opponents. If Titus wins the general election in November, they will become the first out trans person in the U.S. to be elected a county executive and one of the first out trans people to ever serve in an elected executive position. Titus previously made history when they were elected to the Erie School Board, becoming the first out trans person elected in Pennsylvania.
The victory is also significant as Erie County is considered an election bellwether, not just for the state, but the entire nation. The Hill previously named it one of "10 counties that will decide the 2020 election" — it narrowly voted for Trump in 2016 and for Biden in 2020 — making Titus' general election an "important test" for trans candidates running in swing districts.
LGBTQ Victory Fund endorsed Titus as a Spotlight Candidate and raised more than $33 thousand for them — nearly one one-third of their primary budget. Victory Fund also provided extensive campaign advice and support, including a proprietary model to identify supporters.
"Tyler's primary victory amplifies the disconnect between voters who are embracing qualified trans leaders and the bigoted politicians who attack trans people for their own perceived political gain," said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund. "Tyler's candidacy is a bright spot in an otherwise difficult year for trans people and the general election is an important test of whether an out trans leader can win in one of the swingiest districts in America. While Tyler is poised to make history as the first out trans county executive in U.S. history, their vision and agenda for Erie County is focused not on history, but on improving the lives of people in the county."
Tyler is currently one of nine out non-binary elected officials serving in the U.S.
More information about all of Victory Fund's endorsed candidates is available at victoryfund.org/ourcandidates. Since 1991, Victory Fund has helped thousands of openly LGBTQ candidates win local, state and federal elections.
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.
victoryfund.org .
