Ryan Nicol
Democratic candidate for governor Gwen Graham has announced another endorsement, earning support from Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis.
“As we mark the beginning of Pride Month, I’m excited to announce my endorsement of Gwen Graham, a champion for LGBTQ rights and equality,” he said.
Trantalis became the first openly gay mayor ever elected in Fort Lauderdale after he won the seat back in March. He praised Graham’s history on LGBTQ issues in his statement announcing his endorsement.
“Running for Congress in a conservative district, Gwen wasn’t afraid to stand up for marriage equality and our rights. In Congress, she followed through on her promise and fought for LGBTQ Floridians, co-sponsored the Equality Act and earned a 100 percent rating from the Human Rights Campaign.”
Trantalis’ endorsement may help Graham win over members of the LGBTQ community, a group she has voiced support for in the past. Graham recently came out in favor of a statewide ban on gay conversion therapy, a practice deemed harmful by many in the medical community.
Graham has also said she will push for passage of for the Florida Competitive Workforce Act, which she says would help prevent discrimination of LGBTQ citizens.
Graham reiterated her promise to focus on LGBT issues in a statement thanking Trantalis for his endorsement.
“I was honored to support Dean Trantalis in his race for mayor and proud to see him become Fort Lauderdale’s first LGBTQ leader,” Graham said. “As governor, I will work with Dean and LGBTQ leaders across the state to protect their civil rights, and ban conversion therapy.”
Graham is competing in a crowded field for the Democratic nomination for governor. Her primary opponents include Andrew Gillum, Chris King and Philip Levine, among others. That field grew even larger earlier today, when Palm Beach billionaire real estate investor Jeff Greene entered the race.
Voters will choose the Democratic nominee for governor Aug. 28. The qualifying period is noon, June 18 through noon, June 22, although qualifying papers will be accepted beginning today (Monday, June 4).
