Until this election, Mississippi and Louisiana were the only states that have never elected an out legislator.
In a statement, LGBTQ+ Victory Fund President & CEO Annise Parker said, “At a time when bigotry in politics is on the rise, voters in Mississippi House District 66 have chosen a different path. Fabian’s victory is a testament to his dedication to his community and his tireless work earning the support of voters on the campaign trail. Today, we celebrate with all the Mississippians who long for a better future that’s free of discrimination and hate. We look forward to seeing Fabian take his place in the Mississippi House of Representatives and get to work making the Magnolia State a more welcoming place for all.”
For the past 15 years, Nelson has owned and operated Mississippi United Realty—a real-estate firm specializing in making homeownership possible for first-time homebuyers, according to the biography on his campaign website.
Also in Mississippi, Justin Lofton won his race in Pike County’s 1st District and will become the state’s first out LGBTQ+ county supervisor.
According to his Victory Fund biography, Lofton “is an advocate for public safety, reforming our criminal justice system, reducing wasteful government spending, and investing in local small businesses and new industries to grow our local economy and creating new jobs.”
—Andrew Davis