NC-12: Black Gay Candidate Running For Congress

Marcus Brandon is currently the only openly gay legislator in North Carolina state Legislature. In fact, he is one of the very few Black LGBT people ever elected to state-level position in the United States. The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund just announced that Mr. Brandon has won their endorsement in the special election to fill the 12th Congressional District of North Carolina. Rep. Mel Watt held that seat for 20 years but is expected to resign soon to become the head of Fannie Mae. The NC-12 District is (in)famous because for years it was a subject if legislation under the Voting Rights Act because it was drawn to be a majority-minority district (it now has a slight plurality of white voters). It includes cities like Winston-Salem and Charlotte, as well as Mecklenburg County. It is considered a very safe Democratic seat (PVI D+23).

If Mr. Brandon were to win the Democratic primary and be elected, he would be only the second LGBT person of color elected to Congress, after Mark Takano was elected in California's 41st Congressional District in 2012.