Brian Sims on Tuesday won his Democratic primary and, without an opponent to face in November, became Pennsylvania's first openly gay state legislator.

Sims unseated longtime incumbent Rep. Babette Josephs of Philadelphia.

“We set out from the very beginning to run the largest, cleanest, most involved campaign that we could,”Sims told WHYY. “We reached out to all four corners of this district for volunteers, for support, for help, and we were blessed to get it.”

Sims, a policy attorney and civil rights advocate, enjoyed the endorsement of The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, a group dedicated to supporting LGBT candidates and their political campaigns.

“Tonight we're celebrating a historic victory for Pennsylvania and for Brian,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund. “LGBT Pennsylvanians will finally have a voice in their state legislature, and what a strong and unyielding voice it will be. We are thrilled for Brian, who ran a remarkable campaign.”

A second openly gay candidate, Chris Dietz, who ran unopposed in his Democratic primary, will challenge incumbent state Rep. Sue Helm in November.