Kent Boese, Ward 1 D.C. Council candidate, earns Victory Fund endorsement
Should he be elected, Boese would become the first gay Councilmember since David Catania left office four years ago
An openly gay D.C. Council candidate has won the endorsement of the LGBTQ Victory Fund ahead of the June 19 Democratic primary.
Kent Boese, one of three challengers to incumbent Councilmember Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1) and the only male in the Democratic primary, has been endorsed in both the primary and general elections.
“I am excited to receive Victory Fund’s endorsement of our campaign for the D.C. Council Ward 1 seat,” Boese says. “As it stands currently, there are no openly LGBTQ members of the D.C. Council and
while many members are supportive of LGBTQ causes, this is not enough.
“As the late Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham said, ‘If you aren’t at the table, you are on the menu,'” he added. “We need to ensure that support to lift up our LGBTQ residents across the District means representation as well.”
If elected, Boese would become the first openly LGBTQ councilmember since 2o14, when Independent David Catania decided not to run for re-election and instead pursue a bid for mayor.
Boese has vowed to work closely with members of the LGBTQ community, including groups like GLAA, the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, and Trans United, in addition to advocating on behalf of all his constituents, should he be elected.
Elliot Imse, a spokesman for the Victory Fund, said the organization endorses candidates based on their viability and whether they have a strong path to victory, taking into account their qualifications, fundraising abilities, and performance on the campaign trail. He said the Victory Fund believes Boese is the most qualified candidate and is best positioned to win in the general election.
“Victory Fund is pleased to endorse Kent Boese for the D.C. Council Ward 1 seat,” CEO Annise Parker said in a statement. “Kent’s commitment to smart public policy that addresses the real concerns of constituents makes him the best candidate for Ward 1. When he wins his primary in June and the general election in November, Kent will become a vital LGBTQ voice.”
Should he emerge victorious from the primary, Boese will face off against another openly gay candidate, independent Jamie Sycamore. No Republican, Libertarian, or Statehood-Green Party candidates have filed for the Ward 1 seat.
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