Mizeur to Become Fourth Out Maryland Legislator

WASHINGTON, DC (U.S Newswire) -- The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund applauded the primary win of endorsed candidate Heather Mizeur, who is poised to become the fourth openly gay state legislator in Maryland. Mizeur, a political newcomer, was the top vote-getter in the Democratic primary for three seats representing District 20 in the Maryland House of Delegates. The district is overwhelmingly Democratic.

"Heather's win will add another voice for equality in a state legislature that has sought to overcome a governor's veto of important LGBT-related legislation. We applaud her smart, courageous campaign and look forward to her joining her LGBT colleagues in the state House and Senate," said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund.

Mizeur will join Victory-endorsed incumbents Maggie McIntosh and Anne Kaiser in the state House, both of whom advanced in their primaries Tuesday night, and Richard Madaleno, an openly gay Delegate who is seeking a seat in the state Senate. Madaleno had no Democratic primary opponent and advances to the general election as a heavy favorite to win in November. He would become the first openly gay state Senator in Maryland history.

In other election news:

-- Mayor David Cicilline, the openly gay mayor of Providence, R.I., fought off a Democratic primary challenger to advance to the general election in November in his bid for another term.

-- Paula Aboud, an openly gay state representative in Arizona who was appointed to her seat, won her Democratic primary.

-- Dana Beyer, an openly transgender candidate, lost her bid for a seat in the Maryland House of Delegates.

-- Anthony McCarthy and Mary Washington, either of whom would have become the first openly gay African-Americans in a state legislature, fell short in their Democratic primaries in Maryland.

-- Three other Victory-endorsed candidates advanced with no primary opponents. Full details are available at http://www.victoryfund.org