Celia Israel
AUSTIN — Out Austin Realtor Celia Israel made history Tuesday evening with her election to fill the remainder of former state Rep. Mark Strama’s unexpired term, giving LGBT Texans two out representatives in the state Legislature for the first time.
After leading with 59 percent of early voting results, Israel received 60 percent of the total votes in the runoff against Republican Mike VanDeWalle to take over the unexpired term left by Strama after he resigned over the summer.
Israel is the second openly LGBT woman elected to the Texas Legislature. Her election marks the first time in state history that the Legislature has two openly LGBT members.
She will join El Paso Democrat Mary Gonzalez, who identifies as pansexual.
In 2012, Gonzalez became the first openly LGBT woman elected to the Texas Legislature. She’s the second openly gay representative, after Austin’s Glen Maxey, who served from 1991 to 2003.
“I’m always excited about increasing the amount of LGBT voices in the Legislature,” Gonzalez previously told Dallas Voice about Israel’s candidacy. “Having more than one person makes sure we have seats at many tables on different issues.”
Israel will face VanDeWalle for the seat again in November. Both have uncontested primaries.
And former State Board of Education member George Clayton will aim to become the fourth openly LGBT state House member in November. Clayton is running unopposed in the Democratic Primary in North Texas’ House District 102.
