David Richardson of Miami Beach will
become Florida's first openly gay state lawmaker when he heads to
Tallahassee next year.
Voters in Florida's 113th
House district on Tuesday selected Richardson over his three rivals
in the Democratic primary.
The primary was open to all voters
because no Republican registered in the race and its winner heads
directly to the state Capitol.
House District 113 represents parts of
Miami Beach, Little Havana and Downtown Miami.
Richardson received the endorsement of
the AFL-CIO and the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, a group devoted
to supporting openly gay candidates for elected office.
According to alternative paper the
Miami
New Times, two additional openly gay Democrats advanced to
the General Election on Tuesday.
Joe Saunders will face Republican Marco
Pena in a contest to represent Orlando's District 49 and Democrat Ian
Whitley will take on Holly Merrill-Raschein in a contest to represent
the Florida Keys' District 120.