Washington, DC — Today LGBTQ Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office, called on Democratic Party of New Mexico officials to choose out LGBTQ candidate Victor Reyes to be the party’s nominee in the upcoming special election for a seat in the U.S. Congress. The 1st congressional district seat, for which Reyes is running, was vacated by former U.S. Representative Deb Haaland after she was confirmed as President Biden’s interior secretary last week. Reyes would be the first out LGBTQ member of Congress from New Mexico and just the second out LGBTQ Latinx person to serve in Congress.
The Democratic party nominee will be chosen by fewer than 200 members of the 1st district’s Democratic central committee and a vote is expected on March 30. The Democratic nominee will then face challengers in a special general election, to be held June 1.
Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, noted party officials often avoid nominating LGBTQ people, people of color and young people in special elections — feeding perceptions of a ‘good old boys’ network that harms the party. She urged them to instead make a bold choice — much as voters did in electing Haaland — by nominating Reyes, a young LGBTQ Latinx leader.
“Party insiders on both sides of the aisle consistently underestimate LGBTQ people, people of color and young people who raise their hand to run — and overcoming that reluctance could determine which side is the party of the future,” said Mayor Parker. “The upcoming special election is a real test for the state’s Democratic party. Voting members have an opportunity to choose an extremely qualified young LGBTQ Hispanic leader with years of legislative experience who can inspire more young and diverse candidates to run in the state. Voters made a bold choice in looking outside the status quo and electing Deb Haaland. Now, party officials should be equally bold and choose Victor to carry on her legacy.”
More information about all of Victory Fund’s endorsed candidates is available at http://victoryfund.org/ourcandidates. Since 1991, Victory Fund has helped thousands of openly LGBTQ candidates win local, state and federal elections.
LGBTQ Victory Fund
LGBTQ Victory Fund works to achieve and sustain equality by increasing the number of openly LGBTQ elected officials at all levels of government while ensuring they reflect the diversity of those they serve.