Out Pol Heather Mizeur Loses Maryland Gubernatorial Primary

Maryland lieutenant governor Anthony Brown won the Democratic gubernatorial primary Tuesday, advancing past out candidate Heather Mizeur.

Brown garnered 51 percent of the vote, Attorney General Doug Gansler received 24 percent, and Mizeur about 22 percent, according toPolitico.

Mizeur, a member of the state House of Delegates, ran a publicly funded campaign, which left her at a financial disadvantage in relation to her opponents, particularly in terms of media representation. Had she won the primary and then the general election, Mizeur would have been the first openly gay person to be elected governor in the United States, and Maryland's first female governor.

However, there is still a chance for an openly gay governor to be elected this year. Out lawmaker Mike Michaud is the Democratic candidate in Maine's gubernatorial election in November. Michaud, a congressman and former Maine State Senate president, came out publicly in November in a newspaper column. He wrote, "Yes, I'm gay. Now let's get our state back on track" to silence rumors about his being gay and show his commitment to Maine.

"Allow me to save them the trouble with a simple, honest answer: 'Yes I am. But why should it matter?'" Michaud wrote. "That may seem like a big announcement to some people. For me, it's just a part of who I am, as much as being a third-generation mill worker or a lifelong Mainer. One thing I do know is that it has nothing to do with my ability to lead the state of Maine."

Michaud is a cosponsor of the latest version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which was reintroduced to the U.S. House of Representatives April 25, according to his official website. Michaud has stated that he is an advocate of equality for all, with his website saying he is also working for "women, immigrants, Native Americans and the poor."