Today, 53 LGBTQ+ Victory Fund candidates are on the primary ballot in Arkansas, California, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Vermont. Below are several candidates we’re watching because of the notable milestones they can achieve for LGBTQ+ representation in their states.
In Texas:
- Molly Cook – who’s running in Senate District 15 – could become the first out LGBTQ+ state senator;
- In House District 139, Mo Jenkins could become the first out transgender person elected to any office in state history;
- State Rep. Julie Johnson could become the South’s first out representative in Congress (TX-32);
- Progressive candidate Lauren Ashley Simmons is running to unseat anti-equality Democratic Rep. Shawn Thierry, who voted to ban lifesaving health care for transgender young people.
In California:
- Steve Hansen could become Sacramento’s first out LGBTQ+ mayor;
- Assemblymember Evan Low could become Silicon Valley’s first out LGBTQ+ representative in Congress;
- Ethan Weaver could restore LGBTQ+ representation to the city council in Los Angeles, which is home to more LGBTQ+ people than any other California city;
- Coachella Valley can advance LGBTQ+ representation in primaries for key Congressional and state legislative seats.
- With a victory in Senate District 28, Palm Springs City Councilmember Lisa Middleton could become California’s first out transgender legislator;
- Fellow Palm Springs Councilmember Christy Holstege could also make history as the first out bisexual woman elected to the state legislature with a victory in Assembly District 47;
- In Congressional District 41, Will Rollins could become the first out U.S. representative from Palm Springs.
In North Carolina, Durham County Attorney Satana Deberry could be on track to become the first out LGBTQ+ statewide executive official if she wins the primary for state attorney general. She’d also make history as the first woman and first person of color elected attorney general in North Carolina.
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund only endorses out LGBTQ+ candidates who support LGBTQ+ equality and reproductive rights. See all of our candidates at victoryfund.org/our-candidates.
