The Washington state Senate on Tuesday
elected Ed Murray as its president.
The selection makes Murray, 57, the
second openly gay person in U.S. history to lead a state Senate.
Murray, a Democrat, was the lead
sponsor in the Senate of a marriage equality bill signed into law by
Governor Chris Gregoire. The law was challenged at the polls by
opponents but survived repeal on November 6.
In a press release, Murray said he
looked forward to finding “solutions that work for all of
Washington.”
The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund,
which supports openly LGBT elected officials, lauded the choice.
“We congratulate Sen. Murray for this
wonderful recognition of his leadership skills and dedication to the
people of Washington,” Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the
Victory Fund, said
in a blog post. “He has proven that openly LGBT Americans have
much to offer their communities as leaders and representatives, and
his commitment to open and honest public service has set an example
for LGBT youth.”
After serving 20 years in the Minnesota
Senate, the late Allan Spears led the chamber from 1992 to his
retirement in 2000. He announced he was gay in 1974.