Fourth Gay Elected To NYS Legislature
Posted by Gay News Desk at 10:32 AM. Filed under: Gay News
(New York City) Staten Island voters have elected their first openly gay candidate for the state legislature - making Matthew Titone the fourth gay member to serve in Albany.
Titone was elected in a special election to replace Assemblyman John W. Lavelle. The 57 year old Lavelle, who died of a stroke in January had been a strong supporter of LGBT rights.
Both Titone and Lavelle were Democrats and Titone’s election was not altogether a surprise. The district has been solidly Democratic in modern history.
Titone, 46, had the support of Empire Pride Agenda and the Victory Fund.
“Last night was an historic victory for our community,” Pride Agenda’s Joe Tarver told 365Gay.com.
“Matt will strengthen our community in Albany during a time when critical issues like our ability to marry and non discrimination protections are being debated.”
Titone led his closes rival by more than a thousand votes. No matter who won, the victor would have meant a first for Staten Island. Rose Margarella would have been the first Republican elected in more than two decades, and Independence Party candidate Kelvin Alexander would have been the borough’s first black assemblymember.
This was Titone’s second attempt to go to Albany. Last year he ran unsuccessfully for a state Senate seat.
The son of a former Court of Appeals justice, Titone acknowledged the support he received from LGBT rights groups and gay Democratic politicians in New York, but said he also was concerned about the state budget, the high cost of health care and education.
“The people of Staten Island have chosen an able and talented representative, and our community has gained a courageous leader,” said Chuck Wolfe, president of the Victory Fund.
The State Island race was one of three special elections held Tuesday.
Source: 365gay.com