LPAC announces seven latest 2020 endorsements

Above (l-r): Jessica Benham, Rep. Renitta Shannon, Kate Lieber
Middle: Rep. Lois Galgay Reckitt, Rep. Beth Doglio, Sen. Debbie Ingram
Below: Julie Jordan

Washington, DC (April 29, 2020) – LPAC, the only organization dedicated to building LGBTQ women’s political voice, announces its updated slate of 2020 endorsements, an impressive group of LGBTQ women running for national and state-level seats. See our full list of 2020 endorsements here.

The new endorsees are: State Rep. Beth Doglio (U.S. House, WA-10), State Sen. Debbie Ingram (Vermont Lieutenant Governor), Kate Lieber (OR State Senate), Julie Jordan (GA State House), State Rep. Renitta Shannon (GA State House), State Rep. Lois Reckitt (ME State House) and Jessica Benham (PA State House).

“LPAC is committed to building a bench of progressive LGBTQ women candidates, and this group of endorsees reflects that mission,” said Stephanie Sandberg, LPAC’s executive director. “From state lawmakers running for federal office to first-time candidates, we are proud to support a group of women who are working to get the nation back on track.”

For the US House

State Rep. Beth Doglio (WA-10)

Beth Doglio is a State Representative from Washington’s 22nd District. She was first elected in 2016 and re-elected with 70% of the vote in 2018. She was the founding executive director of Washington Conservation Voters, later worked for NARAL, and since 2007 has been a senior advisor with Climate Solutions, a clean energy nonprofit focused on the Pacific Northwest. 

For state-level seats 

Debbie Ingram (Vermont Lieutenant Governor)

Debbie Ingram, elected to the state senate in 2016, serves as the vice chairwoman of the Education Committee. She was re-elected to a second two-year term in 2018. In her day job she serves as the Executive Director of Vermont Interfaith Action. Ingram’s platform is centered on healthcare accessibility, housing affordability, and promoting economic dignity for all.

Kate Lieber (Oregon State Senate)

Kate Lieber is an attorney who spent 13 years in the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. More recently, she was appointed to the state’s Psychiatric Security Review Board and worked at a nonprofit providing services to the homeless. She has been an adjunct professor at Portland Community College since 1998. Her priorities are affordable housing and addressing homelessness, healthcare and education.

Julie Jordan (Georgia House of Representatives)

Julie Jordan is running for election to the Georgia House of Representatives for the 179th district, challenging an incumbent Republican. She retired after 30 years in education last June and has been campaigning since then. Jordan previously served as the president of the Georgia School Counselors Association and is the Chair of the Glynn County Democratic Party. Her platform is focused on expanding Medicaid, increasing the minimum wage, and protecting the Georgia coast.

State Rep. Renitta Shannon for reelection (Georgia House of Representatives)

Renitta Shannon is running for reelection to the Georgia House of Representatives for the 108th district. She was first elected in 2016. Outside of politics, she has held jobs working in business development. She was reelected in 2018 with no opposition. She came out as bisexual in 2017 and has been a strong supporter of reproductive rights during her time in the legislature. Her priorities are providing economic justice for workers, fostering racial justice, and promoting gender equality.

State Rep. Lois Galgay Reckitt for reelection (Maine House of Representatives)

Lois Galgay Reckitt is running for reelection to the Maine House of Representatives for the 31st district. She was first elected in 2016 and was re-elected in 2018 with almost 80% of the vote. She was a cofounder of HRC and served as its Deputy Director from 1987-89. From 1979-1984 and again from 1990-2015 she was the executive director of the Portland nonprofit Family Crisis Services. She has been a consistent advocate for the LGBTQ community in the legislature, sponsoring legislation making it easier for trans people to change their names and cosponsoring legislation banning conversion therapy.

Jessica Benham (Pennsylvania House of Representatives)

Jessica Benham is running for election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 36th district. She is the Development Director for the Pittsburgh Center for Autistic Advocacy and a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh. She would be the first LGBTQ woman in the state’s legislature and the first openly autistic woman to serve as a state legislator in the nation. Her priorities are providing affordable and dignified healthcare, addressing the opioid epidemic, and investing in infrastructure.