LGBT Candidate Triumphs in Alabama...we forge ahead!
National Stonewall Democrats
www.stonewalldemocrats.org:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:John Marble
(202) 625-1382
johnmarble@stonewal ldemocrats. org
Stonewall Statement on Victory for Patricia Todd Will of the People Triumphs Over Personal Politics
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Washington, DC - Today, the National Stonewall Democrats issued the following statement regarding a vote by the Alabama Democratic Party to throw out a challenge to the Democratic primary victory of Patricia Todd for the District
54 seat in the Alabama House of Representatives:
"The voters of District 54 have made it clear that Patricia Todd is the best choice, indeed she is their choice, to represent them in the Alabama House of Representatives and the Alabama Democratic Party has now done the right thing by upholding the will of the voters.
Patricia built a broad coalition that lifted her twice to victory. This was never really about race, or even sexual orientation, but about the personal, petty politics of individuals who sought to divide Democrats along those lines for personal gain. It is in the best interest of all Democrats to build a party that is inclusive of all Americans and free of divisive politics."
- Jo Wyrick, NSD Executive Director
Patricia Todd was elected by the Democratic voters of District 54 to represent them as their nominee in the general election contest in November. No Republican filed to run in the heavily-Democratic district. Todd will now become the first openly-gay elected official in the history of Alabama when she takes her seat in the new legislative session.
Patricia Todd is the founder, and former president, of the Stonewall Democrats of Birmingham. She is a long-time community and HIV/AIDS activist in the city. Todd was the top vote getter in the initial Democratic primary and a special run-off election where she was endorsed by all three of her former opponents for the nomination.
Many members of the Alabama Democratic Party had been supportive of upholding the will of the voters in nominating Patricia Todd for the Alabama House of Representatives in District 54. Party Chair Joe Turnham recently a statement before Saturday's vote indicating that he was "very surprised" that Todd's victory had been overturned by a preliminary committee. Efforts to overturn the selection of Todd were largely spearheaded by Dr. Joe Reed, Vice Chair of the Alabama Democratic Party and a Member of the Democratic National Committee.
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National Stonewall Democrats is the only national organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Democrats, with more than 90 local chapters across the nation. NSD is committed to working through the Democratic Party to advance the rights of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
# # #
Find out more at www.stonewalldemocrats.org:.
© 2006 National Stonewall Democrats. Contributions to National Stonewall Democrats are not deductible for federal income tax purposes
Visit Florida GLBT Democrats Caucus
http://FloridaGLBTDemocrats.org:
www.stonewalldemocrats.org:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:John Marble
(202) 625-1382
Stonewall Statement on Victory for Patricia Todd Will of the People Triumphs Over Personal Politics
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Washington, DC - Today, the National Stonewall Democrats issued the following statement regarding a vote by the Alabama Democratic Party to throw out a challenge to the Democratic primary victory of Patricia Todd for the District
54 seat in the Alabama House of Representatives:
"The voters of District 54 have made it clear that Patricia Todd is the best choice, indeed she is their choice, to represent them in the Alabama House of Representatives and the Alabama Democratic Party has now done the right thing by upholding the will of the voters.
Patricia built a broad coalition that lifted her twice to victory. This was never really about race, or even sexual orientation, but about the personal, petty politics of individuals who sought to divide Democrats along those lines for personal gain. It is in the best interest of all Democrats to build a party that is inclusive of all Americans and free of divisive politics."
- Jo Wyrick, NSD Executive Director
Patricia Todd was elected by the Democratic voters of District 54 to represent them as their nominee in the general election contest in November. No Republican filed to run in the heavily-Democratic district. Todd will now become the first openly-gay elected official in the history of Alabama when she takes her seat in the new legislative session.
Patricia Todd is the founder, and former president, of the Stonewall Democrats of Birmingham. She is a long-time community and HIV/AIDS activist in the city. Todd was the top vote getter in the initial Democratic primary and a special run-off election where she was endorsed by all three of her former opponents for the nomination.
Many members of the Alabama Democratic Party had been supportive of upholding the will of the voters in nominating Patricia Todd for the Alabama House of Representatives in District 54. Party Chair Joe Turnham recently a statement before Saturday's vote indicating that he was "very surprised" that Todd's victory had been overturned by a preliminary committee. Efforts to overturn the selection of Todd were largely spearheaded by Dr. Joe Reed, Vice Chair of the Alabama Democratic Party and a Member of the Democratic National Committee.
------
National Stonewall Democrats is the only national organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Democrats, with more than 90 local chapters across the nation. NSD is committed to working through the Democratic Party to advance the rights of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
# # #
Find out more at www.stonewalldemocrats.org:
© 2006 National Stonewall Democrats. Contributions to National Stonewall Democrats are not deductible for federal income tax purposes
Visit Florida GLBT Democrats Caucus
http://FloridaGLBTDemocrats.org:
