Published September 7, 2023
A record-breaking 1,065 out LGBTQ+ people ran for office in the United States in 2022 – from school board seats in rural towns to toss-up congressional districts to gubernatorial races in the nation’s most progressive states. While more than 430 LGBTQ+ candidates were successful on Election Day, LGBTQ+ candidates continue to face unique experiences and challenges many other candidates do not. From fear of harassment on the campaign trail to voters questioning an LGBTQ person’s electability to frequent anti-LGBTQ attacks, LGBTQ+ candidates must navigate a constellation of obstacles in making the choice to run and in securing the most votes at the ballot box. This first-of-its-kind report examines those realities.