Former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez made history in Texas last night, becoming the first openly LGBT and first Latina candidate to win a major party nomination for governor, defeating her opponent Andrew White.
According to the Dallas Morning News, Valdez told supporters, “I am constantly hearing this is going to be such an uphill battle. Please, tell me when I didn’t have an uphill battle.”
“I am getting darned good at uphill battles,” she added.
Annise Parker, former mayor of Houston and president of the LGBTQ Victory Fund, was jubilant: “Tonight Texans made history by making Lupe Valdez the first openly lesbian woman to win the gubernatorial nomination from a major political party — the latest in a series of groundbreaking wins for LGBTQ candidates in the state.”
Valdez now turns her focus to incumbent Governor Greg Abbott, who has amassed a $41 million war chest for the general election. In six months, Valdez has only raised $200,000.
Also in Texas, Gina Ortiz Jones, a lesbian Filipino-American and Iraq War veteran, won her contest in the 23rd Congressional District over Rick Treviño. She will challenge two-term Republican incumbent Will Hurd.
Out lesbian Lorie Burch triumphed in the Democratic runoff in the Dallas-area Third Congressional District to face Republican newcomer Van Taylor in November.
And openly gay Eric Holguin cruised to victory in the Democratic runoff for the Corpus Christi-area 27th Congressional District. Holguin will run against Republican Michael Cloud this fall to replace now-retired, scandal-ridden U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold.
Good night for Texas!
Thank you, Texas! Tonight is for you! pic.twitter.com/onGtnEU53s
— Lupe Valdez (@LupeValdez) May 23, 2018
