Above: Mitzi Johanknecht, who is taking on a controversial incumbent in her King County race.
Today Victory Fund announced its endorsement of 16 LGBTQ candidates in state and local races. These leaders are determined to make change in their communities by humanizing our lives and changing the legislative debates in the halls of power.
Among the candidates is Mitzi Johanknecht, running for sheriff of King County, Washington, who is set to defeat a sexist incumbent with allegations of sexual misconduct and other forms of intimidation. Also endorsed is Shannon Cuttle, running for South Orange/Maplewood Board of Education in New Jersey. Shannon is a candidate who identifies as trans and queer and is a leading voice in efforts to end bullying in schools.
The official list of endorsements includes:
Josh Brady, Mayor, Lebanon (PA)
Nicole Castillo, Newton City Council, Ward 1, At-Large (MA)
Marpheen Chann, Portland City Council, District 5 (ME)
Shannon Cuttle, South Orange/Maplewood Board of Education (NJ)
Tamaya Dennard, Cincinnati City Council (OH)
Zachary DeWolf, Seattle School Board, District 5 (WA)
Michael Fenton, Springfield City Council, Ward 2 (MA)
Jeff Harris, Westwood City Council (KS)
Sophia Hawes-Tingey, Mayor, Midvale (UT)
Mitzi Johanknecht, Sheriff, King County (WA)
Mike Kelley, Boston City Council, District 2 (MA)
Jimmy Pearson, Dutchess County Legislature, District 25 (NY)
Nelson Roman, Holyoke City Council, Ward 2 (MA)
Peter Spadafore, Lansing City Council, At-Large (MI)
Reed Gusciora, New Jersey General Assembly, District 15 (NJ)
Alex Morse, Mayor, Holyoke (MA)
