HARRISBURG, PA – Last week, an openly gay candidate won a decisive Democratic primary in Philadelphia, and will now become Pennsylvania’s first openly gay member of the state’s House of Representatives. Brian Sims beat a longtime incumbent to win the Democratic nomination in a heavily Democratic legislative district. Since he faces no Republican opponent in November, he will take his seat next January.

“Tonight we’re celebrating a historic victory for Pennsylvania and for Brian,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund. “LGBT Pennsylvanians will finally have a voice in their state legislature, and what a strong and unyielding voice it will be.

We are thrilled for Brian, who ran a remarkable campaign.” Sims, an attorney and LGBT rights activist from Philadelphia, formerly sat on the Victory Campaign Board, and served as a Staff Counsel for the Philadelphia Bar Association, as well as President of the Board of Directors of Equality Pennsylvania.