Historic Victory for LGBTQ U.S. House Candidate Lauren Baer Continues Rainbow Wave

Lauren Baer would be the first openly LGBTQ person to represent Florida in the U.S. Congress

Washington, DC - August 28, 2018 – Openly LGBTQ candidate Lauren Baer won her primary for a U.S. House seat and is on-track to becoming the first openly LGBTQ person elected to Congress from Florida. The seat is considered pivotal to Democrats' efforts to retake the House, and she will face Republican anti-LGBTQ incumbent Brian Mast in November. Baer will also be the first openly LGBTQ mother to serve in Congress if she wins on Election Day.

"Democratic primary voters are demanding authentic, values-driven leaders who prioritize policies over politics – and they are finding those leaders in LGBTQ candidates like Lauren," said Victory Fund President & CEO Annise Parker. "Lauren's victory is the latest in a rainbow wave that represents an evolution in American politics, with voters trusting proud out LGBTQ leaders to best advance the policies that improve their lives and communities. This is not about sexual orientation or gender identity explicitly, it is about the struggles and experiences of LGBTQ candidates providing perspectives and priorities that resonate with voters.

"Lauren's primary victory is a powerful moment for Florida – nominating an LGBTQ mother in a state where anti-LGBTQ adoption laws remained on the books until just a few years ago. Lauren now faces anti-LGBTQ incumbent Brian Mast, who supports marginalizing trans service members who fight for our country and supports Trump's ban on recruiting trans troops. Lauren is a brilliant public official who served her country in promoting human rights and international law abroad. She is perfectly positioned to fight back against the Trump administration's attacks on equality and the rule of law – and it will be all the more sweet when she defeats an anti-equality incumbent along the way."

LGBTQ Victory Fund

LGBTQ Victory Fund works to change the face and voice of America's politics and achieve equality for LGBTQ Americans by increasing the number of openly LGBTQ elected officials at all levels of government.

victoryfund.org