Wilton Manors Elects Florida's First All-LGBTQ Commission

For the first time, a Florida city elected an all-LGBTQ City Commission.

Wilton Manors voters on Tuesday elected Gary Resnick and Paul Rolli to the commission and Justin Flippen as mayor, according to the Sun-Sentinel. All three candidates are part of the LGBTQ community.

Scott Newton, previously the only straight member of the Wilton Manors City Commission, came in third place but lost behind Resnick and Rolli.

Notably, the Equality Florida Action PAC, which endorses pro-LGBT candidates, had supported Newton's re-election, but the LGBTQ Victory Fund had pushed for voters in Wilton Manors to make history and elect an all-LGBTQ commission.

The heavily gay community stands now as the second in the country, after Palm Springs, California, to elect an all LGBTQ city council or commission.

"LGBTQ people are severely under-represented at every level of government, so to have an all-LGBTQ city commission and an LGBTQ mayor in Wilton Manors would be an exciting moment, especially given the strong LGBTQ community there," Sean Meloy, the Victory Fund's political director.

"Representation matters," he added.

Rolli also enjoyed the endorsement of the Dolphin Democrats, a local LGBTQ Democratic caucus.

"This election will be a turning point for the future of Wilton Manors," Rolli wrote on his website.

"I have the experience, knowledge, and energy to do the job and [I] am up to the challenges that lie ahead. We share a wonderful quality of life and the best way to keep that is to effectively plan for our future."

Resnick, a former mayor, ran on his economic development record and experience in his office.

"My experience and relationships make me uniquely qualified. While serving as Mayor, the City pursued millions of dollars in construction projects - all came in on time and on budget," he wrote on a campaign blog.

Flippen, a former commissioner, stressed his community roots on his website.

"I owe so much of who I am to the Island City - from my childhood and formative years, to the local businesses I have relied upon since owning my first car, to the supportive community that provided me a safe environment to be who I am, to serving on civic and city boards, and being elected twice to the city commission," he wrote.