Talking Shop (Politics) with Mayor Annise Parker

How does a candidate for public office effectively campaign, raise money and find their path to victory during the coronavirus pandemic? Mayor Annise Parker, the former Mayor of Houston enlightens us on the future of the political landscape during the 2020 election cycle and specifically addresses the challenges and opportunities for LGBTQ candidates. Victory Fund and Victory Institute President & CEO Annise Parker is the first former elected official to lead the organizations, having served six years as a Houston City Council member, six years as City Controller, and six years as Mayor of the city. She is one of only two women to have been elected mayor, and is the only person in Houston history to have held the offices of council member, controller and mayor. She was the first openly LGBTQ mayor of a major American city.

She currently serves on the Policy and Global Affairs Committee of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine and the boards of Houston Botanic Garden, Houston BARC Foundation, Patient Care Intervention Council, and the Climate Disclosure Project (CDP).

Our conversation highlights the history of her successful political career, insight on how to successfully run a campaign and the path to victory! Mayor Parker is a true leader on the landscape of global equality and we can all look forward to the many successes ahead as she leads Victory Fund on a path to developing and electing LGBTQ leaders.