Mixed Results for LGBTQ+ Pols in Pennsylvania Primary — Plus a First
Top left: Malcolm Kenyatta photographed by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival; bottom left: Izzy Smith Wade-El courtesy Victory Fund; right: Brian Sims photographed by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Elizabeth Taylor AIDS FoundationThere were mixed results for LGBTQ+ candidates in Pennsylvania’s primary races Tuesday, with two out state representatives losing bids for higher office but a continued LGBTQ+ presence in the legislature assured — including, possibly, Pennsylvania’s first nonbinary state lawmaker.John Fetterman, currently Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor, won the Democratic primary for the state’s open U.S.
Senate seat, besting U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb and state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta.Kenyatta, if he had prevailed in the primary and then the general election, would have been the first Black gay U.S.
senator, and the first gay man in the body overall. He is still running for reelection to his Pennsylvania House seat, representing the 181st District, covering part of Philadelphia.
He had no opposition in the Democratic primary and has none in the general election, so he is assured of holding the seat.The Associated Press and other outlets called the Senate for Fetterman a few hours after polls closed Tuesday.
