Brian Sims on Tuesday won his
Democratic primary and, without an opponent to face in November,
became Pennsylvania's first openly gay state legislator.
Sims unseated longtime incumbent Rep.
Babette Josephs of Philadelphia.
“We set out from the very beginning
to run the largest, cleanest, most involved campaign that we
could,”Sims told WHYY.
“We reached out to all four corners of this district for
volunteers, for support, for help, and we were blessed to get it.”
Sims, a policy attorney and civil
rights advocate, enjoyed the endorsement of The Gay & Lesbian
Victory Fund, a group dedicated to supporting LGBT candidates and
their political campaigns.
“Tonight we're celebrating a historic
victory for Pennsylvania and for Brian,” said
Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund. “LGBT
Pennsylvanians will finally have a voice in their state legislature,
and what a strong and unyielding voice it will be. We are thrilled
for Brian, who ran a remarkable campaign.”
A second openly gay candidate, Chris
Dietz, who ran unopposed in his Democratic primary, will challenge
incumbent state Rep. Sue Helm in November.