"Out and Running is a landmark work by one of the nation's leading scholars of LGBT politics. Donald Haider-Markel draws on a rich variety of analyses to illuminate the fortunes of gay and lesbian politicians in the electoral and policy arenas. His book is essential reading not only for anyone interested in LGBT politics but also for anyone interested in broader issues of political representation."—Paul R. Brewer, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and author of Value War: Public Opinion and the Politics of Gay Rights

"This book fills an important gap in the literature on LGBT politics, particularly given the dramatic growth in the numbers of openly LGBT candidates for public office. It presents a number of interesting findings about the strategies of LGBT candidates for state legislative office, the conditions under which they run and get elected, and most importantly, how electing LGBT legislators helps efforts to shape policies favored by the LGBT rights movement. More broadly, it contributes significantly to our understanding of the impacts of descriptive representation on public policies for marginalized groups as well as political backlashes against them."—Gary Mucciaroni, Temple University