Three major mayoral races receive the first 2019 LPAC endorsements

Washington, DC (January 11, 2019) — LPAC, the only organization devoted to building the political power of LGBTQ women, announced the first three endorsements for the 2019 cycle:

• Jane Castor for Mayor of Tampa, FL

• Jolie Justus for Mayor of Kansas City, MO

• Lori Lightfoot for Mayor of Chicago, IL

“These three fabulous, openly LGTBQ women will help diversify the governments of three major American cities,” said LPAC executive director Stephanie Sandberg. “They’re smart, strong, progressive candidates, and LPAC is thrilled to throw our support behind them.”

Castor, the former Tampa police chief with over 35 years of law enforcement experience, is running on a platform prioritizing transportation, crime and safety, and jobs and the economy. She’s currently leading in the polling for the non-partisan race, whose election is March 5 with a runoff between the top two vote-getters set for April 23.

Justus was the first openly LGBTQ person elected to the Missouri State Senate, where she represented the 10th Senatorial District from 2007-2015, serving as Minority Leader in her final two years. An attorney and currently a member of Kansas City’s City Council, representing the city’s fourth district, her platform prioritizes safer communities, education, and jobs and investment. The nonpartisan primary will be on April 2 with a general election on June 25.

Lightfoot was among the first candidates to challenge incumbent Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who has since announced he won’t seek a third term. An attorney and the former president of the Chicago Police Board, her platform prioritizes public safety/gun violence, neighborhood schools, and neighborhood investment. Chicago’s nonpartisan election is scheduled for February 26 with a top-two runoff on April 2.