THE STATE OF THE STATES.Gay and lesbian politicians hope to win a record number of seats in state legislatures Change usually comes in small increments, but this year's election offers the chance to push the number of openly gay elected officials to a new height. Seats in many state legislatures are up for grabs--and with them, the direction of gay issues in those states. Here is a rundown of some of the key races featuring gay candidates seeking election--or reelection--to state legislatures. ARIZONA Steve May (R), state house of representatives. May, a first lieutenant in the Army reserves, is expected to get an honorable discharge--recommended by an Army panel in September--for violating "don't ask, don't tell" by talking about his orientation in a house debate last year. CALIFORNIA Jackie Goldberg Jackie Goldberg (born June 16, 1937) is an American politician and teacher, and a member of the Democratic Party. She is a former member of the California State Assembly. (D), state assembly. Goldberg is a Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. city councilwoman. Christine Kehoe Christine T. Kehoe (born October 3, 1950 in Troy, New York) is a California State Senator representing the 39th district that includes the San Diego county communities of City Heights, Clairemont, Del Mar, Emerald Hills, Encanto, Hillcrest, Kearny Mesa, La Jolla, Lemon Grove Linda (D), state assembly. Kehoe, a member of the San Diego San Diego (săn dēā`gō), city (1990 pop. 1,110,549), seat of San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1850. San Diego includes the unincorporated communities of La Jolla and Spring Valley. Coronado is across the bay. city council, lost a bid for Congress two years ago. Sheila Kuehl Sheila James Kuehl (born February 9, 1941 in Tulsa, Oklahoma) is an American politician, and a former child actress. She is currently a Democratic member of the California State Senate, representing the highly urbanized 23rd district in Los Angeles County and parts of southern (D), state senate. Kuehl, a state assemblywoman, would be the first out lesbian in the California senate. CONNECTICUT Patrick Flaherty (D), state house of representatives. Incumbent Flaherty is seeking reelection re·e·lect also re-e·lect tr.v. re·e·lect·ed, re·e·lect·ing, re·e·lects To elect again. re for the first time since coming out last year. Evelyn Mantilla Evelyn Mantilla represents the 4th district of the Connecticut House of Representatives. Currently she serves as the Deputy Majority Leader. She was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Hartford, Connecticut in 1978. She was first elected to her seat in 1997. (D), state house of representatives. Mantilla is also an incumbent. MAINE Judy Powers (D), state senate. Catherine Woodard (D), state senate. MASSACHUSETTS Cheryl Jacques (D), state senate. Jacques, who was first elected to the state senate in 1992, is in her first reelection bid since coming out earlier this year. MICHIGAN Chris Kolb (D), state house of representatives. Kolb is serving his fourth term on the Ann Arbor city council. MINNESOTA Terrell Brown (R), state senate. Brown is seeking to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Allan Spear, one of the nation's first out gay politicians. Scott Dibble (D), state house of representatives. WASHINGTON Jim R. Morrison (D), state house of representatives. Morrison, a college student, won the Democratic primary in September. His father was seeking the Republican nomination for the same seat but lost his primary. |
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