Sep 01, 2006  |  By: JOSHUA LYNSEN  | COMMENTS     

Anthony McCarthy and Mary Washington, candidates for Maryland House of Delegates, could become the nation’s first openly gay black state legislators.

Officials at the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, which recently endorsed both candidates, said a win by either candidate would be an unprecedented event. No openly gay black candidate has yet been elected to any state legislature, according to the Victory Fund.

“I think it’s incredibly exciting,” said Robin Brand, Victory Fund’s senior vice president of politics and strategy. “Both Anthony and Mary have very strong credentials, are very well qualified, and have a very good shot at winning in their districts.”

McCarthy, a pastor and radio commentator running in District 44 (Baltimore), said the campaigns come at a pivotal time for gay Marylanders.

“We stand at a very unique opportunity in this country, where civil rights are at the forefront of state legislatures,” he said. “It goes to figure that Mary Washington, and I would seize this moment as an opportunity to be a part of that debate.”

Washington, a business professional running in District 43 (Baltimore), said being known as the nation’s first openly gay black legislator would help her succeed in Annapolis.

“I have a unique and interesting opportunity to build some bridges,” she said. “I really look forward to being able to build new alliances.”

Brand said a victory by either candidate would reinforce Maryland’s progressive political tendencies.

“It shows that even in predominantly African-American districts, voters care more about what their elected officials can do for them on the issues they care about than they do about the sexual orientation of the person who represents them,” she said.

McCarthy and Washington said the Victory Fund endorsements were tough to earn.

McCarthy described the group’s review of his and Washington’s campaigns as “an extraordinarily rigorous screening process.”

After completing an initial application and questionnaire, Victory Fund officials examined the two races, and the viability of each candidate. The endorsements came only after further scrutiny and review was completed.

McCarthy said he was happy to win the group’s support, which includes financial and volunteer resources. Victory Fund officials declined to reveal how much money the group would contribute to the campaigns.

“The Victory Fund doesn’t have a history of supporting or being involved in African-American campaigns,” McCarthy said. “So I offer them a unique opportunity to support an African-American candidate who brings a lot to the table.”

McCarthy lauded the group for also supporting his political neighbor in District 43.

“The fact that I and Mary Washington have the support of Victory Fund is very significant,” he said.

Washington said she welcomed the endorsement, but will not be defined by it.

“I’m very out. It’s a part of who I am,” she said. “I am also the daughter of two health care providers, so the health of my community is very important to me. That’s a part of who I am.”

Washington said the endorsement shouldn’t polarize voters in her district. Maggie McIntosh, an out lesbian delegate who is seeking to retain one of the three seats in District 43, was also endorsed by the Victory Fund.

All three seats are up for election, meaning Baltimore’s District 43 could end up with two openly lesbian delegates, should McIntosh and Washington both win.

In addition to Washington and McIntosh, there are seven other candidates running for the three seats: Armand Girard (R); Curt Anderson, Michael Dobson, Ann Marie Doory and Mike Miller, all Democrats; and Brandy Baker, David Greene and Richard Ochs of the Green Party.

“It’s important for us to … have full rights and privileges for every Marylander,” Washington said. “To the extent that the Victory Fund endorsement is a reflection of that, I’m proud to have it.”

‘Broad-based support’

Brand agreed the endorsement would not hinder Washington or McCarthy, despite their need to woo black voters.

“Both candidates are running on issues that are important to the voters in their district,” Brand said. “They have broad-based support, and a Victory Fund endorsement just adds to that, adds to the strength of their campaign.”

McCarthy said his sexual orientation has rarely been an issue during his campaign, and he did not expect the Victory Fund endorsement to change that.

But even if it did, he said, the plight of gay Marylanders is something to which black Marylanders can relate.

“When it comes to civil rights, when it comes to human rights,” he said, “the African-American community is acutely aware of what it’s like to live in America and be treated like second-class citizens.”

Other candidates endorsed by the Victory Fund include Rich Madaleno, a gay delegate who is giving up his seat to run for the District 18 (Montgomery County) Senate seat, and House incumbent Anne Kaiser in District 14 (Montgomery County).

Also endorsed is lesbian former Takoma Park Councilmember Heather Mizeur in District 20 (Montgomery County), and retired doctor Dana Beyer, who is transgender, in District 18 (Montgomery County).