Former Calif. legislator Evan Low is the new head of LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, which supports queer politicians

Evan Low, a former member of the California Assembly and congressional candidate, has been named president and CEO of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, the organizations announced Tuesday.

Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ+ news and politics. Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter.

He succeeds Annise Parker, the out former mayor of Houston, who has led Victory Fund and Victory Institute since 2017 and announced several months ago that she planned to step down. Parker remained with the groups while the search for a new president and CEO went on.

“Today, we face an existential crisis,” Low said in a press release. “The LGBTQ+ community, along with other historically excluded communities, are being systematically legislated out of existence. I am committed to ensuring our voices are not just included but impossible to ignore — and represented at the highest levels of office.”

Victory Fund works to elect out candidates to office, while Victory Institute provides training for current and aspiring public officials.

“With his extensive background in politics, we are confident that Low will achieve both missions — helping to elect more LGBTQ+ leaders and ensuring they have the tools to serve successfully,” Joseph Falk, chair of the Victory Fund Board of Directors, said in the release. “With Low’s leadership, expect more LGBTQ+ candidates, more candidate wins, and greater LGBTQ+ political impact.”

Trending stories

Where to stay in LGBTQ+ Ireland: Castles, domes and luxury retreats

France becomes world’s first country to enshrine abortion rights in constitution

From rock legends to Pride flags: Discover the vibrant LGBTQ+ scene in Asbury Park

'Drag Race's Plastique Tiara gets fairytale engagement—and a giant ring (exclusive pics)

Kelly Clarkson reveals secret of her sapphic wink, says she'd go for an 'older woman'

All 6 rogue Mississippi cops got long prison sentences in 'Goon Squad' torture of 2 Black men

Season 4 of The Switch on resilience & radical self-love returns this spring

Not a drill! 'Warfare's Kit Connor & Charles Melton kiss and go viral

Joe Biden has tied the record for most LGBTQ+ judges confirmed in federal courts

Peaches Christ says she's been 'retraumatized' by police investigating drag icon Heklina's death

How climate disasters hurt mental health in young people

SFAF's Dr. Tyler TerMeer says he'll continue to fight for health care for all

Discover the power of Wellness in your life

Cowboys & Queens U.S. tour by Jane Hilton: A modern American dream

Paulie Calafiore opens up on his steamy thirst traps: 'Everybody wants to see [me] half naked'

Gerald Garth is keeping people of color happy and healthy through trying times

Dylan Efron dishes on his sexy back arch & Speedo pics: 'That's what I'm good at!'

Olympic runner Yared Nuguse hard launches boyfriend in casual coming out post

Trump's orders prompt CDC to erase HIV resources

Discover why chic Costa Navarino is Europe's luxury getaway

'Mid-Century Modern's Richard Kind: Never turn down sailor sex

Ranking NWSL teams by how gay the name is

The Charles is Pacific Grove's new LGBTQ+ hotel

Pedro Pascal is aging like a fine wine — as proven by these 32 pics

Elon Musk uses burner accounts on X, doesn’t fact-check: report

• 0
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8

“We’ve long been inspired by Evan’s commitment, service, and focus on his constituents and the LGBTQ+ population,” added Victory Institute Board Chair Howard Pulchin-Ramos. “At this critical time in our history and movement, we are proud to welcome Evan as the next leader of Victory.”

Low, a 41-year-old gay man, has an extensive political résumé. He was first elected to the California Assembly in 2014 at age 30, making him the youngest Asian American elected to the body up to that time. He began his political career on the Campbell, Calif., City Council, to which he was elected in 2006 as its first Asian American member. He was elected mayor of Campbell in 2010, becoming the youngest out LGBTQ+ mayor in the nation. He ran for the U.S. House of Representatives last year from California’s 16th Congressional District, centered on Silicon Valley, but lost to fellow Democrat Sam Liccardo, a former mayor of San Jose, in the race for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo, who retired. In California, candidates from all parties run against one another in the primary election, and the top two vote recipients advance to the general election, regardless of party.

In the Assembly, Low sponsored numerous bills that were signed into law, including one that placed a state constitutional amendment on last November’s ballot to repeal the anti-marriage equality Proposition 8. Prop. 8 was approved by California voters in 2008 to override a state Supreme Court ruling for equal marriage rights. It was struck down in federal courts and couldn’t be enforced, but marriage equality supporters wanted to remove it from the California constitution to safeguard against future attempts to restrict marriage rights. Voters OK’d the measure to repeal Prop. 8 by a margin of 63 percent to 37 percent.

Low is facing allegations of campaign finance violations in previous elections, but Victory Fund and Victory Institute have confidence in him nonetheless. "While we are aware of these claims, we are excited to welcome Evan Low as our new president and CEO," Orie Givens IV, vice president of communications for the groups, said in a statement to The Advocate. "Our trusted relationship with Evan spans more than two decades and we believe his proven track record as a change-making public servant will strengthen our organization’s long legacy of building and growing a pipeline of LGBTQ+ elected officials.”

Low was first endorsed by Victory Fund in 2004. “I am thrilled to lead LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and Institute, organizations that shaped my journey in public service," said Low. “As a 20-year-old candidate, I experienced firsthand the power of our commitment to training and electing future leaders. Twenty years later, I am coming home to continue that mission — welcoming current and new supporters in our work to secure more seats at more tables and make our voices heard in more halls of power worldwide.”