LPAC Announces April Endorsements for Trailblazing Candidates Across the Nation
LPAC, the nation's leading organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary candidates to public office, is excited to unveil its slate of endorsements for upcoming elections across various states. These candidates exemplify the commitment to diversity, equality, and progressive change that LPAC stands for.
“We are immensely proud to endorse this slate of candidates, each a trailblazer in their own right,” stated Janelle Perez, LPAC Executive Director. “ Their diverse experiences and dedication to serving their communities embody the principles LPAC champions. We are confident that their leadership will drive significant progress in advancing the rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals and all underrepresented groups.”
The endorsed candidates include:
Cecilia Lunaparra (she/they) – Running for Berkeley City Council, CA (District 7). As a community organizer and UC Berkeley undergraduate, Lunaparra aims to be the first Latina, first openly queer woman of color, and first undergraduate student on the Berkeley City Council. She is studying to become a high school history teacher.
Meghan Moyer (she/her) – Candidate for Multnomah County Commission, OR (District 1). Moyer's extensive background in social services policy and advocacy, SEIU organizer coupled with her role as a mother of two, underpins her candidacy in Oregon.
Dallas Harris (she/her) – Running for re-election to the Nevada State Senate (District 11). Appointed in 2018, Harris focuses on criminal justice reform, LGBTQ issues, and supporting underserved communities in Las Vegas. She was appointed to the Nevada State Senate in 2018, following the election of her predecessor as Attorney General.
Cecelia González (she/her) – Running for re-election to the Nevada State Assembly (District 16). As an educator and organizer, González continues her work influenced by her background as a first-generation college graduate and new mother. She was first elected to the Nevada State Assembly in 2020, winning an open seat with 65 percent of the vote.
Kristin Graziano (she/her) – Running for re-election as Charleston County Sheriff, SC. Graziano, a 36-year law enforcement veteran, focuses on restorative practices and community safety improvements. In 2020, she unseated her boss, a 32-year Republican incumbent, and made history by becoming the first woman elected to the office of Sheriff in the state of South Carolina.
Daneya Esgar (she/her) – Candidate for Pueblo County Commission, CO (District 2). Esgar, after serving four terms in the Colorado State House and as House Majority Leader, continues her advocacy for reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ protections.
Jennifer Parenti (she/her) – Running for re-election to the Colorado House of Representatives (District 19). An an Air Force veteran, engineer, diplomat, community organizer and voting rights activist who was first elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 2022, defeating a Republican incumbent with 50.3 percent of the vote. Parenti focuses on housing affordability, environmental protection, and LGBTQ+ rights.
Tamika Mapp (she/her) – Candidate for New York State Assembly (District 68). Mapp is a seasoned advocate with a history in public policy, dedicated to education reform, workers' rights, and healthcare. Mapp has previously run for Assembly three times. In 2022, she placed third in the Democratic primary with 19 percent of the vote.
Brion Curran (they/she) – Running for re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives (District 36B). Curran, with a strong background in human services, is an advocate for people with developmental disabilities. Curran was first elected in 2022, winning an open seat with 53.5 percent of the vote. In their first term, Curran was elected Vice Chair of Minnesota's first official Queer Legislators Caucus.
Leigh Finke (she/her) – Running for re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives (District 66A). Finke, the first openly transgender state legislator in Minnesota, focuses on queer community engagement and civil rights.
Heather Keeler (she/her) – Running for re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives (District 4A). An Indigenous queer woman, Keeler focuses on healthcare, education, and community empowerment.In November 2020, she was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives, winning an open seat with 57 percent of the vote, and is the first Indigenous openly queer woman elected from Greater Minnesota.
Liz Reyer (she/her) – Minnesota House of Representatives (District 52A) Since winning an open seat 2020 with 63.5 percent of the vote, Reyer has used her platform to address structural racism and fight for quality and affordable health care, reproductive rights, equal justice under the law, a stable climate and clean environment, and a world-class education. She is a proud member of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, Queer Caucus, and co-leads the Climate Action Caucus.
Isabel Rolfes (she/her), Minnesota House of Representatives (District 61A) – Isabel Rolfes is the Legislative Assistant to the Minnesota House Majority Leader. She has worked in leadership for two years and previously worked as a Committee Legislative Assistant for Education policy in the Minnesota State House and on multiple campaigns. Rolfes is an adopted, Indian-American, queer woman who grew up in Brainerd Lakes and central Minnesota before moving to the Twin Cities for College.
Josie Leavitt (she/her) – Running for re-election to the Vermont House of Representatives (Grand Isle-Chittenden). A comedian and local leader, Leavitt combines humor with policy to impact her community positively. Leavitt previously ran the Pride Center in Burlington. She was first elected to the State House in 2022, when she won a seat by nine votes with 24.8 percent of the vote.
Ashley Brundage (she/her) – Candidate for Florida House of Representatives (District 65). A leader in diversity and inclusion, Brundage's work spans across gender identity and expression advocacy. Ashley Brundage serves on the Corporate Advisory Council for the NGLCC-National LGBT Chamber of Commerce and previously served on the National Board of Directors for GLAAD. In her career as a part time teller, she rose to National Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion in less than five years
DeShanna Neal (she/they) – Running for re-election to the Delaware House of Representatives (District 13). An advocate for trans rights, Neal continues to push for inclusive health care and social justice. First elected in 2022 when they unseated a 16-year Democratic incumbent, DeShanna Neal was the first out nonbinary person elected to the Delaware legislature.
Rebecca Kislak (she/her) Rhode Island House of Representatives (District 4) – A mom, lawyer, advocate, and state representative first elected in 2018. During her time in office, she has been a champion for public schools, the environment, housing, and health care. She also worked for and passed the state Parentage Act, protecting LGBTQ+ families and their children and a law ensuring access to gender-neutral restrooms wherever there are single-stall restrooms.
Tiara Mack (she/her) Rhode Island House of Representatives (District 6) – In 2020, she ran and won herstate senate race, unseating a 30-year incumbent to become the state's first openly queer Black elected state legislator and the youngest State Senator. In her time in office, she has been a champion for LGBTQ+ rights, working families, housing and tenant rights, and expanding abortion access in Rhode Island.
Arienne Childrey (she/her) – Candidate for Ohio House of Representatives (District 84). Childrey is a community advocate focused on transgender rights and political engagement. She established Northwest Ohio Trans Advocacy and has been actively involved in Democratic Party leadership, serving on the Auglaize County Democratic Party Executive Committee. Earlier this year, Childrey was one of three trans candidates who had their ballot qualification challenged; the challenge was dismissed because it didn’t come from a member of the Democratic Party, but Childrey’s Republican opponent has now introduced a bill that would allow for cross-party challenges in the future.
These candidates represent a cross-section of America, bringing diverse experiences and perspectives to the forefront of political discourse. LPAC is committed to supporting these leaders as they fight for equality, justice, and the rights of all individuals.