The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund today announced it has wrapped up endorsements for 2012 elections, bringing the total number of endorsed openly LGBT candidates this year to a record-breaking 180. Among those, 8 candidates are endorsed for U.S. House and Senate races.

“We’re just a few weeks away from making history,” said Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of the Victory Fund.  ”For the first time ever, LGBT Americans could have an authentic voice in the U.S. Senate and a record-high number of openly LGBT House members on both sides of the aisle.”

In addition to the federal candidates, Victory has endorsed 101 state legislative candidates in 30 states, and dozens more at the municipal, county, judicial and school board level.

“Whether at the local, state or national level, LGBT officeholders are helping to add significant power to legislative fights to win equality for all Americans.  These candidates will make sure that progress continues, and that’s why their victories this year are so important,” Wolfe said.

Read about Victory’s endorsed candidates at victoryfund.org.

This post has been updated to reflect an additional 5 endorsements for 2012 elections.