Openly gay candidates win big across the U.S.

Despite vicious attacks and well-funded opposition, over 20 openly gay and lesbian national and statewide candidates prevailed on Tuesday. Most were endorsed by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, the nation's largest gay political action committee. The Victory Fund and its national donor network invested over $3 million this year alone in gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender candidates for public office. "Strong openly gay elected leaders ensure our march toward true equality will not be slowed," said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund. "We can only achieve lasting change when we are at the table as voting equals. Our gay and lesbian community will grow stronger as a result of both our setbacks and achievements in 2004." Tuesday's gay and lesbian victories include: National: U.S. House, Wisconsin (2nd district) Tammy Baldwin (D-Inc) with 64% U.S. House, Massachusetts (4th district) Barney Frank (D-Inc) with 78% U.S. House, Arizona (8th district) Jim Kolbe (R-Inc) with 60.2% States: California State senate, 23rd district (Los Angeles) Sheila James Kuehl (D-Inc) with 65.9% State assembly, 13th district (San Francisco) Mark Leno (D-Inc) with 82.1% State assembly, 27th district (Santa Cruz) John Laird (D-Inc) with 69.4% State senate, 39th district (San Diego) Christine Kehoe (D) with 60.3% Colorado State senate, 31st district (Denver) Jennifer Veiga (D-Inc) was unopposed Connecticut State assembly, 6th district (Hartford) Art Feltman (D-Inc) with 80% Georgia State house, 86th district (Avondale Estates) Karla Drenner (D-Inc) was unopposed Idaho State house, 19th district (Boise) Nicole LeFavour (D) with 67% Maine State house, 122nd district (South Portland) Lawrence Bliss (D-Inc) with 67% Michigan State house, 53rd district (Ann Arbor) Chris Kolb (D-Inc) with 80% Minnesota State house, 61A district (South Minneapolis) Karen Clark (D-Inc) with 88% Missouri State house, 59th district (St. Louis) Jeanette Mott Oxford (D) with 89% New York State senate, 29th district (Manhattan) Tom Duane (D-Inc) with 84% Nevada State assembly, 41st district (Las Vegas) David Parks (D-Inc) with 56% North Carolina State senate, 9th district (Wilmington) Julia Boseman (D) with 51% Utah State house, 30th district (Salt Lake City) Jackie Biskupski (D-Inc) with 88% Vermont State house, Chittenden 3-3 district (Burlington) Jason Lorber (D) with 27% State senate, Chittenden County Ed Flanagan (D) with 11%