Washington, DC – Today Victory Fund, the only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ leaders to public office, endorsed 16 candidates in state and local races. Victory Fund is working to increase the number of LGBTQ elected officials in state and local governments—particularly in states with low levels of equality and little LGBTQ representation.
“These 16 LGBTQ candidates are determined to make a difference in a time when LGBTQ representation is needed more than ever,” said Aisha C. Moodie-Mills, President & CEO of Victory Fund. “These candidates for state legislature, city council, school board, and other local offices will work to advance equality for the LGBTQ community, and mitigate the effects of anti-LGBTQ efforts from other levels of government. We are proud to endorse these candidates and look forward to helping them win their races.”
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.
Endorsed Candidates
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)
Since 1991, Victory Fund has helped thousands of openly LGBTQ candidates win local, state and federal elections.
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Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund
Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund works to change the face and voice of America’s politics and achieve equality for LGBT Americans by increasing the number of openly LGBT elected officials at all levels of government.