Washington DC – August 22, 2006 - The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund today urged the Alabama Democratic Party to certify Patricia Todd’s victory in the primary election for the state’s 54th legislative district.  Todd was the top vote-getter in a 5-way primary on June 6, and beat opponent Gaynell Hendricks by 59 votes in a July 18 runoff.  Local election officials reported no irregularities and declared Todd the winner after a recount.

Despite Todd’s ability to win the most votes twice, a formal challenge to the election was filed by Hendricks’ mother-in-law.  That challenge has now been tainted by powerful party officials, disappointed by the election results, seeking to improperly influence the decision of a panel that will hear evidence in the matter, according to reports.   There is no Republican opponent vying for the seat in November, so Todd’s primary win would make her the state’s first-ever openly gay elected official.

“Democracy means nothing if backroom deals can change the outcome of a fair election.  The people have spoken, but party power brokers are insisting on having the last word.  That’s un-American,” said Chuck Wolfe, President and CEO of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.

“The Alabama Democratic Party shows little inclination to conduct a fair hearing based on the merits of the challenge, and we have lost faith in that process.  It’s unthinkable that in 2006 some politically powerful insiders still consider themselves untethered to democratic principles and superior to the electorate.  If the party has no intention of protecting the rights of voters, then we intend to ask the courts to step in to do so,” Wolfe said.

The Victory Fund announced it has established a legal defense fund to preserve Todd’s win.  “We are prepared to vigorously defend the will of the voters and this historic victory,” Wolfe said.

The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund provides strategic, technical and financial support to openly LGBT candidates and officials. It’s the only national organization solely committed to increasing the number of openly LGBT public officials at federal, state and local levels of government.  For more information, visit www.victoryfund.org.

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