Outfront MN Email Blast: The 2008 Elections from a GLBT Perspective

The 2008 Elections from a GLBT Perspective

State Elections: Yesterday's election preserved a fair-minded majority in the Minnesota House, which means that in 2009 and 2010 the legislature will remain in the hands of those who generally support GLBT-friendly legislation. Unfortunately, House elections did not produce a veto-proof majority and some strong GLBT allies lost their races for re-election.

OutFront Minnesota Action endorsed 64 candidates. 54 of them won - for an 84% success rate! We look forward to working with new and returning House members in the coming 2009 session who support equality.

OutFront Minnesota Action is disappointed about the lawmakers who strongly supported justice and equality for all -- who lost their races:

Representative Shelley Madore (DFL) from Apple Valley
Representative Ken Tschumper (DFL) from La Crescent
Representative Sandy Wollschlager (DFL) from Red Wing
Representative Ron Erhardt (Ind) from Edina

Here's the breakdown of the landscape at the legislature:

51% of the current make up of the House votes for GLBT equality over 50% of the time.
43% of the House votes for GLBT equality 100% of the time.
24% of the current make-up of the House votes against GLBT equality 100% of the time. In 2006, 33% of the House voted against GLBT equality all of the time and in 2004 that number was near 50%.
Minnesota worked with TakeAction Minnesota and choice, labor, economic justice and environmental groups to get fair-minded candidates elected to the House.

Coalition work that was successful:

Mike Obermueller (DFL) defeated incumbent Representative Lynn Wardlow (R) in Eagan. Representative Wardlow never voted to maintain or enact GLBT rights legislation.
Gail Kulick Jackson (DFL) defeated incumbent Representative Sondra Erickson (R) in the Princeton area. Representative Erickson never voted to maintain or enact GLBT rights legislation and worked to promote discrimination.
Jerry Newton (DFL) won the seat vacated by Representative Kathy Tingelstad (R) in Andover.
Representative Jeremy Kalin was re-elected for his second term. Representative Kalin voted for legislation to help end discrimination against same-sex couples and has the dedication, knowledge and leadership to continue working to improve our roads, schools, health care, and the economy so that all Minnesotans do better in the years to come.
Judicial elections: Both of the Minnesota Supreme Court candidates which OutFront Minnesota Action rated as acceptable won their re-elections - Justices Paul Anderson and Lori Skjerven Gildea....as well as a Minnesota Court of Appeals judge rated acceptable - Judge Teri Stoneburner.

For more information on the district judicial races, visit OutFront Minnesota Action.

Ballot Initiatives: Sadly, anti-equality measures in a number of states have passed. But while supporters of GLBT equality around the country mourn the losses, we must be vigilant in continuing the work for justice in our communities in Minnesota and beyond.

California – A constitutional amendment to ban marriage for same-sex couples is winning 52% to 48% with 92% of the precincts reporting. GLBT equality supporters are asking the state to continue counting the over three to four million votes that have not been counted before issuing the results of the election.
Florida – A constitutional amendment banning marriage and all legal protection for same-sex couples passed 62% to 38%
Arizona – A constitutional amendment banning marriage for same-sex couples passed 57% to 43%
Arkansas – A ballot initiative banning adoption and foster care for all unmarried couples passed 57% to 43%
Connecticut – A ballot initiative to call a constitutional convention failed 60% to 40%. Convening a constitutional convention was seen as an attempt to re-write the constitution to include a ban on marriage equality, in light of last months' favorable court ruling allowing same-sex couples to marry. Connecticut has set November 12th as the first day same-sex couples can marry in that state.
In Iowa, the state Supreme Court hears oral arguments December 9th on that state's marriage equality case.
Presidential Election: While OutFront Minnesota Action does not endorse candidates for federal office, we believe President-elect Barack Obama will be a positive elected official for GLBT people. President-elect Obama included GLBT people in his acceptance speech and supports federal legislation including hate crime and employment protections as well as other measures that will help our families do better. He plans to keep GLBT people and families in mind when creating policy solutions for our country.

As with every election, supporters of justice and fairness must celebrate the wins and mourn the losses for a couple of days before we continue our organizing work for change. As we look ahead to the next few years in Minnesota, we know that with your dedication and hard work, we can make Minnesota a more just state for GLBT people. Please join OutFront Minnesota in making the dreams of a better future for GLBT people a reality in our communities and throughout the state. Together we can move the movement for GLBT equality ahead!

For more information: Visit OutFront Minnesota Action for a complete rundown of results


For information on GLBT candidates' races across the US: Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund


For detailed information on all Minnesota races: Minnesota Secretary of State's office