Lesbian candidate
poised to become Missouri's first out state senator

Adding to what's becoming a breakthrough primary season for openly gay state legislators, Jolie Justus won the Democratic primary for Missouri's 10th district state senate seat Tuesday--which, since the district is heavily Democratic, virtually ensures that she will become Missouri's first openly gay state senator this November. "In Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and now Missouri, excellent candidates are winning historic races," Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, which backed Justus, said in a statement. "Jolie's win is a testament to her courage, commitment, and skill, but it also confirms that fair-minded voters everywhere care more about good government than they do about whether their representatives are gay or lesbian." Justus, who faces token Republican opposition in the general election this fall, will join Jeanette Mott-Oxford, an openly gay incumbent Missouri house member, who also won her primary Tuesday. Other breakthrough out candidates this election cycle include Patricia Todd, the first openly gay elected official in Alabama history; Kathy Webb, the first openly gay elected official in Arkansas history; and Al McAffrey, the first openly gay state legislator in Oklahoma history. (The Advocate)