Twenty-four of the record-setting 54 openly LGBTQ+ candidates in Texas won their elections March 1 in the first primary of the 2022 election cycle, setting the stage for LGBTQ+ representation in the state legislature to more than double, The Hill noted.
The number represents a record high and a 33-percent increase over 2020, when 18 candidates won, the LGBTQ Victory Fund stated.
LGBTQ Victory Fund President & CEO Annise Parkerwho was once mayor of Houstonsaid, "Texans' voices rang loud and clear: We demand changenot because the policies coming out of Austin are merely short-sighted, but because they are dangerous for our community. … Enough is enough."
The timing is significant, as more than 200 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures this year. Although Texas legislators have not introduced such legislation, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) in an opinion late last month called gender-affirming care for transgender youth "abuse" under his interpretation of state law.
Some of the March 1 victors included Jessica Gonzalez (Texas House of Representatives), Sara Martinez (Dallas County Justice of the Peace), Ann Johnson (Texas House of Representatives), Jason Cox (Harris County Probate Court), Tonya Parker (Dallas County 116th Judicial District Court) and Erin Zwiener (Texas House of Representatives).
In addition, Venton Jones and Jolanda Jones have advanced to separate runoff elections. Venton and Jolanda would be, respectively, the first out LGBTQ Black man and woman elected to the Texas state legislature. Also, Venton would be the first out LGBTQ Black state legislator in the country who is openly HIV-positive.