Check the 2008 Election Update for achieving legal equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer Americans.
LAST UPDATED on November 22, 2008
ELECTION RESULTS FOR THE PRIORITY RACES FOR ACHIEVING LGBTQ LEGAL EQUALITY
Based on the priorities established early in 2008
HIGHLIGHTS:
> Barack Obama wins presidency.
> California, Arizona and Florida pass bans on same sex marriage.
> Jared Polis, Gabrielle Giffords, Betsy Markey, and Jeff Merkley win.
> Marilyn Musgrave is successfully defeated.
> Nick Carter, Linda Ketner, Darcy Burner, and Ashwin Madia lose.
> Al Franken's race is in the midst of a recount. Expect lawsuits to drag on for weeks with no victor declared until 2009.
PRIORITY #1: THE PRESIDENCY
> Obama wins presidency.
> 365-173 electoral votes.
> Won popular vote by 52-46%, earning over 63 million votes to McCain's 56 million.
PRIORITY #2: PRESERVE MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN CALIFORNIA
California Proposition 8: Yes 52% No 48%.
PRIORITY #3: PRO-EQUALITY CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESS
eQualityGiving ENDORSED CANDIDATES TO FUND
> Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords for US House (D-AZ): Won re-election 55-43%.
> Nick Carter for US Senate (D-WY): Lost 27-73%.
> Jeff Merkley for US Senate (D-OR): Won by just 2,647 votes.
> Al Franken for US Senate (D-MN): Mandatory recount in progress.
> Linda Ketner for US House (D-SC): Lost 48-52%.
> Betsy Markey for US House (D-CO): Beat Marilyn Musgrave 56-44%.
> Ashwin Madia for US House (D-MN): Lost 41-48%.
> Darcy Burner for US House (D-WA): Lost 48-52%.
> John Kroger for Attorney General (D-OR): Won with 72% of the vote.
eQualityGiving OTHER ENDORSED CANDIDATES (expected to win by a comfortable margin)
> Jared Polis for US House (D-CO): Wins election and becomes 3rd openly LGBT member of Congress.
> Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): Wins re-election.
> Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI): Wins re-election.
> Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA): Wins re-election.
> Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ): Wins re-election.
> Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH): Wins re-election.
> Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL): Wins re-election.
> Congressman John Lewis (D-GA): Wins re-election.
> Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI): Wins re-election.
> Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA): Wins re-election.
> Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY): Wins re-election.
> Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC): Wins re-election.
PRIORITY #4: SELECTED STATE RACES
This work is led by Gill Action. Check their website for results.
PRIORITY #5: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IN FLORIDA
Constitution is amended to forbid same sex marriage and similar legal relationships: Yes 62% No 38%, with 99% reporting.
PRIORITY #6: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IN ARIZONA
Constitution is amended to forbid same sex marriage, 56-44% with 99% reporting.
PRIORITY #7: ARKANSAS ADOPTION AND FOSTER CARE ACT
Ban against unmarried couples adopting and being foster care parents approved 57-43% with 96% reporting.
OTHER RACES:
> NY Senate turns Democratic. Marriage equality likely soon.
> In Connecticut, the vote for a Constitutional Convention failed. Marriage equality protected.
> Check also the results for LGBT candidates supported by the Victory Fund.
RESOURCES:
> Compare at a glance the positions on LGBT equality of Obama, Biden, McCain, and Palin
> Detailed positions of Senator Obama on LGBT equality
> Detailed positions of Senator Biden on LGBT equality
> Detailed positions of Senator McCain on LGBT equality
> Detailed positions of Governor Palin on LGBT equality
> Frequently Asked Questions: Senator Obama on LGBT equality
> eQualityGiving Endorsed Candidates
> eQualityGiving Top Giving Priorities for 2008
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