Post submitted by Stephen Peters, former Senior National Press Secretary and Spokesperson

Today, HRC celebrated the outcome of Virginia’s statewide election where HRC-endorsed candidates Ralph Northam, Justin Fairfax, Mark Herring and Danica Roem have all claimed victory in their respective races. 

“By electing Ralph Northam for governor, Justin Fairfax for lieutenant governor, and Mark Herring for attorney general, Virginia voters have resoundingly rejected Donald Trump’s and Mike Pence’s politics of hate and fear,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “HRC was proud to endorse these pro-equality candidates who are committed to moving Virginia forward as a welcoming and inclusive place. We congratulate Northam, Fairfax, and Herring on their important victories and look forward to working closely with them to advance LGBTQ equality in the commonwealth.”

HRC released an earlier statement hailing Danica Roem’s historic victory in the Virginia District 13 election. Unseating anti-LGBTQ Delegate Bob Marshall, Roem's electoral victory will make her Virginia's first out transgender public official and the nation's only out transgender state representative.

HRC worked aggressively in Virginia by mobilizing staff and volunteers to ensure these pro-equality candidates were victorious. HRC engaged fair-minded Virginia voters through targeted social media, emails, text alerts, direct mail, phone calls, door-to-door canvassing, and other crucial efforts.

HRC’s work in the commonwealth is part of a bold, proactive grassroots expansion called HRC Rising — a campaign announced in July to accelerate progress in states from coast-to-coast, resist the politics of hate, fight anti-LGBTQ legislation, and fuel pro-equality candidates and initiatives. The expansion is the biggest strategic investment in the organization’s 37-year history.

The HRC Foundation designated Virginia as a “High Priority to Achieve Basic Equality” in the organization’s 2016 State Equality Index. The commonwealth is one of thirty-one states that still lacks basic non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people in employment, housing, and public accommodations.