Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund candidate Michael Góngora has won the runoff election for the Group 3 seat on the Miami Beach city council.  Gongora’s victory marks the Victory Fund’s 50th win of 79 endorsed candidates in 2009.

Góngora originally won a special election in 2006 before losing reelection in 2007, but will now return to the council after an overwhelming victory last night.

The Miami Herald reports on Góngora’s big win:

Góngora remained far ahead of opponent Gabrielle Redfern throughout the night in the race to claim the commission Group 3 seat.  “I feel grateful and vindicated that the voters of Miami Beach came out and sent such a strong message that they wanted me back in office,” he said Tuesday night.

Five Victory-backed candidates still face runoff elections in the coming weeks.  Find out more about these upcoming elections under “Races to Watch” on the Victory Fund homepage.

Palm Springs, Calif., Mayor Steve Pougnet, who is running for Congress next year, is among 15 new endorsements of openly gay and lesbian political candidates announced today by the Victory Fund.  The other 14 candidates are:

Toni Atkins–California State Assembly, District 76 (2010 election)

Jay Barth–Arkansas State Senate, District 34 (2010 election)

Adam Brackman–Atlanta City Council

Todd Connor–Water Reclamation District of Chicago Commission (2010 election)

Michael Gongora–Miami Beach Commission

Rob Holland–Seattle Port Commission

Sharyn Keiser–New Hope City Council, Pennsylvania

Jeff Kingsbury–Olympia City Council, WA

Sandra Kurt–Akron City Council, OH

Sue Lovell–Houston City Council, TX

Sherry Roberts–Miami Beach Commission

Mark Tumeo–Cleveland Heights City Council, OH

Kyle Williams–Decatur City Commission, GA
Jack Zatz–Marlboro Township Council, NJ