Earl Jaques Jr. (72) attacked his challenger Eric Morrison (45) because he is known as a drag queen and also put on a robe during the election campaign. Jaques has been sitting in the Delaware House of Representatives since 2009. Now Jaques lost to the openly gay challenger who is considered progressive. The election was about who is allowed to fight for the Democrats for the seat in the Delaware House of Representatives.

Eric Morrison

Eric Morrison is known by another name in the local queer scene: He has been performing as the popular drag queen Anita Mann for 25 years. He even did so at a fundraiser during last year’s election campaign in November – apparently a bad thing for his opponent in the Democratic pre-election campaign. Jaques made the following statement to local media:

“This is so far off the ground for our district, it’s incredible. One wonders what it is good for. They can organise fundraisers, I don’t care. But in women’s clothes? Really?”

Apparently the majority in the district liked it, or at least didn’t distract them from Morrison’s progressive campaign promises and actions. The gay challenger won against the conservative 72-year-old on 16 September, with 61.13 per cent of the vote to 38.87 per cent.

Earl Jaques Jr.

If Morrison were really to enter the state’s House of Representatives, he would be considered the first openly gay man in the Delaware General Assembly, which is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. By the way, in 2013 the defeated Earl Jaques Jr. voted against same-sex marriage and refused to vote for a ban on conversion procedures on minors.

November 3 is all about everything – not just for Trump

Eric Morrison thanked his supporters after his resounding election victory. The queer activist, who among other things was president of the Pride Association Delaware for three years, wrote in a Facebook posting

“This morning, I am overwhelmed with emotions—but most of all with gratitude. Thank you to our incredible core team members.”

He also thanked all donors, voters, volunteers – and reminded that the fight is not over yet. Morrison is now the Democratic candidate to run for the Delaware House of Representatives for District 27, but he has not yet been granted a seat. He will fight a Republican and a Liberal in the US federal elections on 3 November. But now, Morrison says, is the time to celebrate.

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