Since 1991, the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund has given openly LGBT candidates the financial, strategic and technical support needed to win races. As the nation's largest LGBT political action committee, it has one simple goal: to change American politics through queer elected leaders.
During a recent trip to Chicago, President/CEO Chuck Wolfe sat down with Windy City Times to talk strategy, funding and the 2012 elections. Wolfe joined the Victory Fund in 2003, after a successful run as vice-president and chief operating officer at the American Legacy Foundation, which fights the tobacco industry.
Windy City Times: Hi, Chuck. With the 2012 elections, there's a record number of out queer candidates and officials. Can you tell us about that?
Chuck Wolfe: This is the first year that we now have someone [who is openly LGBT] elected in every state in the country. That's important because we know that no LGBT-specific legislation moves without having some of us in the state legislature, county council or whatever it might be. It's really important for us to elect members of our own community.
WCT: The Victory Fund issues "Out to Win" endorsements. In 2010, you only backed 164 of the more than 350 openly LGBT candidates who ran. What motivates that?
Chuck Wolfe: Well, it varies on the level of race they're running for. Our endorsement seal gives a [potential] donor the confidence that we've vetted that candidate through our board of directors and campaign board, and that the candidate meets certain qualifications—namely that he or she is a viable candidate running in the right race at the right time, and that they actually have a good chance of success. It also means that they're pro-choice and pro-gay.
That's where we start. That could also be the point in which we start to invest in the race directly. We offer technical assistance to every candidate, but then for some, if they're in a focused race—like Tammy Baldwin running for United States Senate—then they get a lot of extra assistance.
WCT: And how important would you say funding is for queer candidates?
Chuck Wolfe: This isn't a question of sexual orientation. Money is what drives the message, and this is true throughout politics. You need to raise money to be able to send your message—period. The successful candidates are the ones who figure out how to fundraise.
WCT: Can you tell us about the Victory Fund's work in Illinois and Chicago?
Chuck Wolfe: We have such great success here with people like [Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner] Debra Shore, who chairs the Victory Institute board, and [state Rep.] Greg Harris. Greg's been a great champion and is a wonderful out elected official but you have to realize that, in time, these people will move on and you'll need more great people to come in behind them. We've added more trainings in the city and the Midwest.
We also have a partnership with Equality Illinois that we're really proud of. The Appointments Project has been especially successful.
There's a lot of groundwork that's been laid for us to be able to do more work here, and we're actually bringing our first brunch to Chicago on Sept. 9. We offer this series of fundraising brunches around the country, which are meant to highlight our candidates so everybody gets to meet them. This will be our first time in Chicago.
WCT: Can you give us any details?
Chuck Wolfe: It'll be at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel. And Christine Quinn, who is a member of the New York City Council and who's running for mayor of New York City, is going to headline that event. Her race is next year, so it's really exciting.
WCT: How is your 2012 strategy different from 2010 or 2008?
Chuck Wolfe: Well, we have definitely staggered the endorsements differently this year. But if you're asking what's causing those increased numbers, I think the real reason is just that we're getting more of our community members willing to engage in the community and run as out candidates. We're getting more people running, and others are seeing that you can be successful. There is this great track record.
I would not claim that the Victory Fund is doing some miraculous thing. More of the community is simply willing to step up and run, and if we've been helpful in any way, it's that we show them a way to win.
WCT: At the American Legacy Foundation, you worked on the iconic "Truth" anti-smoking campaign. How important is that type of messaging?
Chuck Wolfe: I think that's essential anywhere. Brand awareness is key. Our benefit is that we have a very focused mission. We are out to win, and that's what we say—both in our day-to-day work and also in our marketing message. Because we're such a focused organization, when people invest with us, they know what we're about. Nobody has to wonder.
If you compare it to the "truth" campaign: That operated with billions of dollars of settlement money, and the Victory Fund operates with money it raises each and every year. They're really not directly comparable, but the fundamentals are the same. You need to have a brand message.
WCT: What's up next for 2012?
Chuck Wolfe: Our Women Out to Win project is really cool. Growing that program is probably our greatest excitement right now—having Annise Parker elected as mayor of Houston, Texas; having Tammy Baldwin running for the United States Senate; watching Chris Quinn run for mayor of New York City… These women are encouraging other women in our community to step up and run for office, and that is really, truly exciting.
To learn more about the Victory Fund's Sept. 9 brunch fundraiser, visit www.victoryfund.org/chicago.
