America’s First Openly-LGBT Governor? Democrat Heather Mizeur Announces Maryland Run

America has elected its first openly-LGBT U.S. Congressman, Senator, and presidential candidate, but never an openly-LGBT state governor. Democrat Heather Mizeur wants to change that.

Maryland State Delegate Heather Mizeur, first elected to the legislature in 2006, today formally announced her candidacy for Governor of Maryland. She will face Maryland’s current Lt. Governor in a Democratic primary, or several others rumored to be considering entering the race. The Democratic winner will then go against one of four current Republican candidates, or several others that are rumored to enter the race, including former GOP Chair Michael Steele.

Noting Mizeur’s opponents on both sides of the aisle “have a significant fundraising advantage,” Michael Lavers at the Washington Blade reports that “EMILY’s List and the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund are expected to back Mizeur’s campaign.”

I’m all in! Maryland, I want to be your next Governor. Join us #MizMd #StandwithHeather http://t.co/M1XKv9y8Zo #mdpolitics

— Heather R. Mizeur (@heathermizeur) July 17, 2013

 

In an exclusive interview with the Blade before she officially declared her candidacy, Mizeur said, “I’m running for governor because I love this state and I see limitless possibilities on what we can accomplish together.”

Mizeur cited economic development, protecting the state’s environment and improving the quality of Maryland’s public schools and health care system as among her top campaign issues. “There are great challenges facing us and also incredible opportunities.”

Lavers notes “Mizeur would make history as Maryland’s first female governor and the country’s first openly LGBT governor if voters elect her in 2014,” and writes:

“Diversity is enormously important,” she told the Blade. “Not simply to have a gay governor, but to have a governor who can represent the voices of people in communities that have not always had a voice in the process.”

Mizeur added her approach to governing the state and her vision for Maryland is “about bringing people together and making everyone a stakeholder and creating solutions to the issues” it faces.

Mizeur’s bio on her Facebook page adds she “lives in Takoma Park with her wife, Deborah. They own a small business in Silver Spring and an organic farm on the Eastern Shore.”

 

Image: Mizeur at Annapolis Fourth of July parade, via Facebook