Maggie Ellis becomes 1st out LGBTQ+ person elected to a statewide office in Texas

Read more at KXAN Austin.

Voters chose Maggie Ellis as their next Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, according to the Associated Press. Her campaign says it’s also a historic first for Texas, as she will be the state’s first out LGBTQ+ person to win a statewide election.

Ellis’ victory, along with the projected wins of Democratic candidates Chari Kelly, Kristen Hawkins and Gisela Triana to the high court, ends 26 years of SCOTX having nine Republican justices. All three of the justice-elects previously served as appellate justices.

“Texas, we made history. As a mom, I can’t help but think about what this means for the next generation of Texas kids,” said Ellis in a statement. “I want every child growing up in this state to know that no door is closed to them because of who they are, where they come from, or who they love.”

Ellis also previously served as an appellate justice. Before that, she was a public school teacher and attorney. According to her campaign, she “experienced poverty and homelessness as a child.”

“I know what it’s like to feel like the system wasn’t built for people like you,” Ellis said. “That’s why I’ve always believed you can’t serve people you don’t see. Our courts should work for everyday Texans, not just the wealthy and well-connected.”

Her statement notes she wants to revisit the court’s orders related to same-sex marriage and work “to expand access to justice and increase funding for indigent defense.”

State Rep. Jessica González, Texas House LGBTQ Caucus chair, congratulated Ellis Wednesday.

“Last night, Texas voters rejected the divisiveness that has plagued our state and politics for too long. This year, millions of dollars were spent in our state demonizing the LGBTQIA+ community on television ads, social media ads, radio and print—all of which fell on tired ears,” González said. “As our state’s very first statewide LGBTQIA+ identifying officeholder, Justice Ellis has sent a clear message to our LGBTQIA+ community: work hard, stay true to yourself, and believe in the people of Texas. The pursuit of justice lives on in Texas.”