2018 Annual Report | 1 “From the U.S
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A Rainbow Wave: 2018 Annual Report | 1 “From the U.S. Congress to statewide offices to state legislatures and city councils, on Election Night we made historic inroads and grew our political power in ways unimaginable even a few years ago.” MAYOR ANNISE PARKER, PRESIDENT & CEO LGBTQ VICTORY FUND BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chris Abele, Chair Michael Grover Richard Holt, Vice Chair Kim Hoover Mattheus Stephens, Secretary Chrys Lemon Campbell Spencer, Treasurer Stephen Macias Stuart Appelbaum Christopher Massicotte (ex-officio) Susan Atkins Daniel Penchina Sue Burnside (ex-officio) Vince Pryor Sharon Callahan-Miller Wade Rakes Pia Carusone ONE VICTORY BOARD OF DIRECTORS LGBTQ VICTORY FUND CAMPAIGN BOARD LEADERSHIP Richard Holt, Chair Chris Abele, Vice Chair Sue Burnside, Co-Chair John Tedstrom, Vice Chair Chris Massicotte, Co-Chair Claire Lucas, Treasurer Jim Schmidt, Endorsement Chair Campbell Spencer, Secretary John Arrowood LGBTQ VICTORY FUND STAFF Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO Sarah LeDonne, Digital Marketing Manager Andre Adeyemi, Executive Assistant / Board Liaison Tim Meinke, Senior Director of Major Gifts Geoffrey Bell, Political Manager Sean Meloy, Senior Political Director Robert Byrne, Digital Communications Manager Courtney Mott, Victory Campaign Board Director Katie Creehan, Director of Operations Aaron Samulcek, Chief Operations Officer Dan Gugliuzza, Data Manager Bryant Sanders, Corporate and Foundation Gifts Manager Emily Hammell, Events Manager Seth Schermer, Vice President of Development Elliot Imse, Senior Director of Communications Cesar Toledo, Political Associate 1 | A Rainbow Wave: 2018 Annual Report Friend, As the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising approaches this June, I am reminded that every so often—perhaps just two or three times a decade—our movement takes an extraordinary leap forward in its march toward equality. In 2018, LGBTQ Victory Fund was privileged to be a key part in one of those leaps as the nation and even the world became captivated by the “Rainbow Wave.” Never in our nation’s history have so many openly LGBTQ people run for elected office and never have so many been victorious on Election Night. We achieved historic firsts once deemed impossible and broke down long-standing political barriers for some of the highest elected offices in our nation. This annual report is a celebration of this historic election cycle and a glimpse at the role Victory Fund played to make it happen. While many of our political organization partners are rightfully still celebrating these 2018 victories and preparing for 2020, at Victory Fund we are doing that and more. There is no off-election year for us, because our goal is to secure equitable representation for our community at every level of government—including the school boards, city halls and state legislatures with elections this year. In fact, it is state and local governments that most impact the daily lives of Americans, and it is these governments that can either be equality champions or the enemies of progress for LGBTQ people. Our voices are essential in state and local governments and the impact extends well-beyond the borders of any city or state. In 2019, we have already endorsed historic candidates who are determined to shatter lavender ceilings and break new ground for our community. At Victory Fund, with your continued support, we will fight tirelessly for these candidates— not only so we can achieve more historic firsts, but so that with time, we can make historic firsts history. That is the end game: equitable representation in all governments everywhere in this nation. The journey ahead is long, but I am thrilled you are with us. Sincerely, Mayor Annise Parker President & CEO, LGBTQ Victory Fund February 2019, Washington, DC A Rainbow Wave: 2018 Annual Report | 2 A RAINBOW WAVE Historic Victories Break Records An unprecedented number of openly LGBTQ people ran for office in 2018 andVictory Fund endorsed 274 of them—more than at anytime in our 27-year history. Victory Fund invested more than $2 million to support our candidates, from the U.S. Senate to local school boards, and 64 percent won on Election Night. Our First Gay Governor Twenty-five years ago, Colorado was dubbed the ‘hate state’ for its anti- LGBTQ laws and voter-approved anti- LGBTQ ballot initiative. But on Election Night 2018, that maxim was forever erased when Colorado voters made Jared Polis the first openly gay man elected governor of a U.S. state. After joining Jared for Denver Pride and then again for a bus tour in the weeks before the election, Mayor Annise Parker said: “Jared will win on the issues. Yes, it is a historic candidacy, but it is his vision for Colorado that is inspiring voters.” Jared Polis hugs his partner Marlon Reis after winning the governorship. Sharice Davids speaks at LGBTQ Women Congressional a Victory Fund event in Kansas City. Candidates Win Big Ten openly LGBTQ people won seats in the U.S. Congress on Election Night 2018—two in the U.S. Senate and eight in the U.S. House—the most in history for either chamber. LGBTQ women played an especially important role, with four non-incumbent women winning. Now half of the LGBTQ members of the U.S. Congress are women. Incumbent U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin overcame tens of millions of dollars in attack ads to handily defeat her anti-LGBTQ opponent. U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema won a narrow victory to become the first out bisexual U.S. Senator ever. Together Victory Fund raised more than $366,000 on their behalf and contributed $50,000 to an independent expenditure for Senator Baldwin. Angie Craig, Sharice Davids and Chris Pappas became the first openly LGBTQ U.S. Representatives from their states, Minnesota, Kansas and New Hampshire, respectively. Katie Hill of California became the first openly LGBTQ woman elected to Congress from her state, and all four incumbents running for reelection won their races. Victory Fund raised more than $299,000 for its endorsed U.S. House candidates and contributed more than $200,000 for independent expenditures. 3 | A Rainbow Wave: 2018 Annual Report Trans State Legislators Quadruple Three openly trans people won state legislative seats. Lisa Bunker and Gerri Cannon were elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives and Brianna Titone was elected to the Colorado state House. Now four openly trans state legislators are serving across the country. Trans elected officials at Victory Institute’s International LGBTQ Leaders Conference (left to right): DC ANC Rep. Monika Nemeth, CO state Rep. Brianna Titone, VA Delegate Danica Roem, Erie, PA School Board Member Tyler Titus, and NH state Rep. Lisa Bunker. State Legislative Candidates Break New Ground 119 OPENLY LGBTQ STATE Only seven states in the nation had never elected an openly LGBTQ LEGISLATORS IN 2018 person to their state legislature before Election Night 2018, but now that 24.4% number is four. Indiana elected JD Ford to the state Senate, Megan Hunt INCREASE was elected to the Nebraska state House, and Susan Ruiz and Brandon 148 OPENLY LGBTQ STATE Woodard were elected to the Kansas state legislature. There are now 148 LEGISLATORS IN 2019 openly LGBTQ state legislators. First Trans Major Party Gubernatorial Nominee Christine Hallquist won the Democratic gubernatorial primary in Vermont to become the first openly trans major party nominee for governor. While she faced an uphill battle against a popular incumbent and ultimately lost in the general election, her primary victory received international attention and opened up the door to future high-profile trans candidacies. Christine Hallquist (fourth from right) with the Victory Fund team. Shattering Lavender Ceilings Everywhere Our candidates shattered long-standing political barriers to become historic firsts, among them: Nickie Antonio | First openly LGBTQ Ohio state Senator Malcolm Kenyatta | First openly LGBTQ Pennsylvania state legislator of color Ricardo Lara | First openly LGBTQ person of color elected statewide in the United States Jeremy Moss | First openly LGBTQ Michigan state Senator Dana Nessel | First openly LGBTQ person elected statewide in Michigan Neil Rafferty | First openly gay man in Alabama state legislature First openly LGBTQ Illinois state legislator of color Lamont Robinson | California Insurance Josh Tenorio | First openly LGBTQ Lieutenant Governor of Guam Commissioner Mary Washington | First openly lesbian elected to Maryland state Senate Ricardo Lara Jennifer Webb | First openly lesbian elected to Florida state legislature A Rainbow Wave: 2018 Annual Report | 4 Influencing Races: Our Work at a Glance An endorsement from Victory Fund signals to the community that this is a viable LGBTQ candidate worth investing in—and that we will work to propel them to victory. Our endorsed candidates receive fundraising, campaign consulting, media assistance and other support, which is part of the reason our candidates significantly outperformed non-endorsed candidates in 2018. 2018 Endorsed Candidates 2018 Non-Endorsed Candidates 274 endorsed candidates 437 non-endorsed LGBTQ candidates 174 endorsed candidates won / 100 lost 126 won / 311 lost 63.5% win rate 28.8% win rate Financial Support $2,049,000 Invested in candidate races $1,079,000 $811,000 $159,000 Raised for Independent expenditures Direct contributions candidates for candidates to candidates 572% 3,358% 74% Increase in overall Increase in independent Of bundling dollars candidate spending expenditures spending went to women compared to 2016 compared to 2016 candidates Campaign Consulting Our experienced political staff provided more than 200 consulting hours to endorsed candidates: designing field strategies, developing voter targeting plans and reviewing direct mail messages. “Kansas is going to change. It’s astounding.” 5 | A Rainbow Wave: 2018 Annual Report On the Ground President & CEO Annise Parker traveled to raise visibility and fundraise for dozens of candidates throughout the election cycle—including Senator Tammy Baldwin, now Governor Jared Polis and now U.S. Representative Sharice Davids. On election week through Election Night, Victory Fund staff was on the ground supporting 12 candidates in six states.