Today we announced our endorsement of 25 additional openly LGBTQ candidates for in key state and local races for the 2020 election cycle. Among the endorsees are 12 state legislative candidates – some taking on anti-LGBTQ incumbents and others who will become historic firsts if elected.
Ryan Holmquist, Roger Montoya and Summer Wesley – running for Kansas House of Representatives, New Mexico House of Representatives and Oklahoma House of Representatives, respectively – would all take seats currently held by anti-LGBTQ and anti-choice incumbents. Abigail Medina, running for California state Senate, would join previously endorsed Victory Fund candidate Susan Talamantes Eggman in becoming the first two out LGBTQ women of color in that chamber.
This latest slate brings Victory Fund’s endorsements to 211 for the 2020 election cycle. Victory Fund expects to endorse more than 300 candidates this year – the most in its 29-year history.
“Although campaign strategies have been upended by the pandemic facing the United States and the world, an unprecedented number of LGBTQ candidates are running for office and the opportunities to influence our nation’s politics are plenty,” said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund. “LGBTQ candidates are running for state legislative seats in red states like Georgia, Oklahoma and Texas and will replace anti-LGBTQ incumbents if elected. LGBTQ state legislative candidates can determine control of chambers – including the Texas state House – and play an influential role in redistricting that will impact our nation in the decade ahead. We can elect more openly LGBTQ elected officials in 2020 than ever before, and if successful, our country will be better off for it.”
Meet our newest 2020 candidates below, follow their campaigns on social media and chip in what you can!
2020 General Candidate Endorsements:
Marcus Bush
National (CA) City Commission, At-Large
General: 11/3/20
Zach Dickerson
Montgomery County (OH) Clerk of Courts
Primary: 4/18/20 General: 11/3/20
John Dugger
Beaverton (OR) City Council, Position 3
General: 5/19/20
Ryan Holmquist
Kansas House of Representatives, District 69
Primary: 8/4/20 General: 11/3/20
Leo Jaramillo
New Mexico State Senate, District 5
Primary: 6/2/20 General: 11/3/20
Brandi Jude
Bismark (ND) City Commission, At-Large
General: 6/9/20
Colby Khoshreza
Lexington-Fayette (KY) Urban County Council, District 9
Primary: 6/23/20 General: 11/3/20
Josh McNair
Georgia House of Representatives, District 56
Primary: 6/9/20 General: 11/3/20
Abigail Medina
California State Senate, District 23
Primary: 3/3/20 General: 11/3/20
Jordan Meehan
Massachusetts House of Representatives, 17th Suffolk
Primary: 9/1/20 General: 11/3/20
Roger Montoya
New Mexico House of Representatives, District 40
Primary: 6/2/20 General: 11/3/20
Michelle Palmer
Texas State Board of Education, District 6
Primary: 3/3/20 Runoff: 7/14/20 General: 11/3/20
Kori Rodley
Springfield (OR) City Council, Ward 3
Primary: 5/19/20 General: 11/3/20
Wendy Stolyarov
Sparks (NV) City Council, Ward 1
Primary: 6/9/20 General: 11/3/20
Kurt Thigpen
Washoe County (NV) School Board Trustee, District D
Primary: 6/9/20 General: 11/3/20
Summer Wesley
Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 100
General: 11/3/20
2020 General Incumbents:
Sam Bell
Rhode Island State Senate, District 5
Primary: 9/8/20 General: 11/3/20
Gerri Cannon
New Hampshire House of Representatives, Stafford District 18
Primary: 9/8/20 General: 11/3/20
Daneya Esgar
Colorado House of Representatives, District 46
Primary: 6/30/20 General: 11/3/20
Daniel Hernández
Arizona House of Representatives, District 2
Primary: 8/4/20 General: 11/3/20
Nathan Ivie
Utah County Commission, Seat C
General: 11/3/20
Ashley Manlove
Missouri House of Representatives, District 26
Primary: 6/9/20 General: 11/3/20
Lisa Middleton
Palm Springs City Council, District 5
General: 11/3/20
Jason Morgan
Washtenaw (MI) County Board of Commissioners, District 8
Primary: 8/4/20 General: 11/3/20
Jeffrey Slavin
Mayor of Somerset (MD)
General Election: 6/9/20
