Founded in 1991, the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund is a political action committee focused on upping the number of Queer public officials in the United States. Its efforts continue to this day, as issues of concern to the community — not to mention democracy — will be on the November ballot.

Local, state and federal candidates who identify as LGBTQ+ can receive endorsements from the fund. Candidates must also be pro-choice and supportive of privacy rights and the rights of the Transgender community, and have advanced local Queer civil rights efforts through legislative and regulatory processes. The Victory Fund has endorsed 14 such candidates in Washington state.

Sen. Emily Randall, who is Lesbian and Latina, is one of the Victory Fund's "spotlight candidates." If elected, she would be the first out LGBTQ+ leader to represent the state of Washington in Congress. Randall is also a first-generation college graduate, and has worked for a decade to fundraise and advocate for healthcare and education.

"Randall has worked tirelessly to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months, establish the Universal Health Care Commission — the strongest universal healthcare policy any state has passed in the last decade — and to require equity curriculum in med schools and continuing medical education," states Randall's bio on the Victory Fund website.

Ryan Mello, another of the Victory Fund's spotlight candidates for Washington, moved to Tacoma in 1997 and first made history in 2010 by serving as the first openly Gay man on the city council there.

"He is committed to ensuring [that] basic services are delivered effectively [and that] everyone who needs a job has a good-paying job with benefits; keeping the South Sound affordable for all income levels; having efficient transportation solutions for our community; and ensuring that our air, land, and water is healthy for everyone to enjoy," states Mello's Victory Fund bio.

Other notable candidates this election cycle include Dave Upthegrove, who would become the first out LGBTQ+ statewide executive office holder if elected as the Washington Commissioner of Public Lands. The August primary gave Upthegrove a slim lead over Republican candidate Sue Kuehl Pederson, leading to a recount.

Nicole Macri, who is a Lesbian with a track record of advocating for the Queer community, hopes to continue serving in the state's House of Representatives. Additionally, Maria Beltran would become the youngest-ever member to serve the Washington State Senate, and Laurie Jinkins would continue to serve as the first out Lesbian Speaker of the House if reelected.

At stake this year in Washington is the rollback of Queer rights, such as Initiative 2081, which would allow parents and legal guardians to receive public school records, like vocational counseling and medical records. It would also allow parents and guardians to opt out of surveys, assignments, and quesstionaires relating to a child's sexual experiences or orientation.

For more information on all of Washington's LGBTQ+ candidates endorsed by the Victory Fund, visit https://victoryfund.org/our-candidates/?search=®ion=washington