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"We need adults in the room and I want to bring bold innovative leadership based on lived experiences and shared values to the Commonwealth."
After the big news of Pennsylvania flipping blue in the 2020 presidential election, Brian Sims has announced that he is running for Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth.
"My name is Brian Sims and I am running for Lieutenant Governor," Sims, who has been in the House of Representatives for a decade, said in an announcement video. "I think every day about the values my Army Officer parents instilled in me. To take responsibility, to show empathy, to have courage, and to be authentic. I want to put those values to the direct service of the Commonwealth."
As Lieutenant Governor, Sims would represent some 13 million people.
"I have a lot of hope when I look at the people across the country that decided over the last number of years that they'd had enough," he continued. "That they looked at the lack of leadership and thought they could do better because oftentimes they are right. we are the antidote to broken politics."
Before getting into government, Sims was an athlete. In 2000 he was the captain of the Bloomsburg University football team. He was outed to his team and led them to a Division II National Championship game. He later served as the executive director of Equality Pennsylvania and served as a member of the Victory Campaign Board. In 2012 he became the first out gay elected state legislator in Pennsylvania. In 2015 he made an unsuccessful run for Congress.
"My time in the Pennsylvania legislature has taught me a lot about not only how the Pennsylvania government works but a lot about how it doesn't," he continued in his announcement video. "It's taught me a lot about how to work with people who don't always agree with me."
Sims has done many things in his time in the legislature, but has made pushing for LGBTQ+ rights a focal point. During his early years, the 2013 Out100 honoree repeatedly pointed out that Pennsylvania didn't "have a single LGBT cvil rights law."
"I think it's time for me to take what I learned in the house and to be able to bring that leadership to the direct service of the Governor," he finished. "I want to be your next Lieutenant Governor. We need adults in the room and I want to bring bold innovative leadership based on lived experiences and shared values to the Commonwealth."
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Mikelle is the former editorial director of digital for PrideMedia, guiding digital editorial and social across Out, The Advocate, Pride.com, Out Traveler, and Plus. After starting as a freelancer for Out in 2013, he joined the staff as Senior Editor working across print and digital in 2018. In early 2021 he became Out's digital director, marking a pivot to content that centered queer and trans stories and figures, exclusively. In September 2021, he was promoted to editorial director of PrideMedia. He has written cover stories on Ricky Martin, Miss Fame, Nyle DiMarco, Jeremy O. Harris, Law Roach, and Symone.
Mikelle is the former editorial director of digital for PrideMedia, guiding digital editorial and social across Out, The Advocate, Pride.com, Out Traveler, and Plus. After starting as a freelancer for Out in 2013, he joined the staff as Senior Editor working across print and digital in 2018. In early 2021 he became Out's digital director, marking a pivot to content that centered queer and trans stories and figures, exclusively. In September 2021, he was promoted to editorial director of PrideMedia. He has written cover stories on Ricky Martin, Miss Fame, Nyle DiMarco, Jeremy O. Harris, Law Roach, and Symone.
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