LPAC Endorses Trailblazing Candidates in March Rollout
LPAC, the nation's leading and only organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary candidates to public office, is announcing an endorsement slate of 23 groundbreaking candidates across the United States. This diverse group of leaders represents a significant push towards inclusivity and equality in political representation. Amongst the endorsees is scientist and healthcare advocate Gabby Salinas, who could become the first out LGBTQ woman and the first Latinx person ever elected to the Tennessee legislature.
"This incredible group of leaders represents the diverse and dynamic future of our political landscape. We are proud to endorse a slate of candidates who not only share our values but also reflect the diversity and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community,” said Janelle Perez, LPAC Executive Director. “Each candidate brings a unique perspective and a commitment to equity and justice that is desperately needed in our national discourse. They’re not just running for office—they're running toward a more inclusive and equitable future for all of us."
LPAC's endorsement slate signifies more than just a show of support; it is a resounding call for a more inclusive and equitable political arena, where the voices of LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary people are amplified, and their leadership is celebrated. Through their campaigns, these candidates are not only seeking to effect change within their respective offices but also to inspire a broader movement towards true equality and justice for all.
March Endorsements:
Lorena Austin (she/they), Arizona House of Representatives (District 9): Austin is a fifth generation Arizonian and was elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2022, winning a competitive open seat. Austin works alongside her father, a small business owner and civil rights attorney, to serve the Mesa community.
Analise Ortiz (she/her), Arizona State Senate (District 24): Ortiz was first elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2022, winning one of two open seats as the top vote getter in every precinct and becoming the first openly pansexual representative for her district! She has previously worked at the ACLU and as an investigative reporter.
Brianna Titone (she/her), Colorado House of Representatives (District 27): Titone, a geochemist, was first elected in 2018, becoming the first out trans legislator in Colorado history! She serves as Co-Chair of the House Majority Caucus and Co-Chair of the Colorado Democratic LGBTQ+ Caucus.
Claire Snyder-Hall (she/her), Delaware House of Representatives (District 14): Snyder-Hall is a former Political Science Professor who led the Delaware office of Common Cause, a national, non-partisan, grassroots pro-democracy organization, for five years. She moved to Rehoboth in 2011 and ran for a State Senate seat in 2014.
Susan Ruiz (she/her), Kansas House of Representatives (District 23): Ruiz was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in 2018, becoming the first out lesbian ever elected in the state. A licensed clinical social worker, she holds a Master Degree in Social Work.
Natalie Higgins (she/her), Massachusetts House of Representatives (4th Worcester District): Higgins is currently serving her fourth term in the Massachusetts State House. She is a lifelong Leominster resident, first-gen college grad, attorney, former rape crisis counselor, and former Executive Director of the Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts.
Emily Dievendorf (they/them), Michigan House of Representatives (District 77): Dievendorf was first elected in 2022, becoming the first out nonbinary person elected to the Michigan legislature! Before being elected to the House, Dievendorf enjoyed a long career in public service and advocacy, including serving as Executive Director for Equality Michigan.
Laurie Pohutsky (she/her), Michigan House of Representatives (District 17): First elected in 2018, Pohutsky is the first openly queer female legislator in Michigan history and the first to serve as the Speaker Pro Tempore. During her time in office, Pohutsky has introduced legislation to include protections for the LGBTQ+ community in the state's civil rights act, ban the use of the LGBTQ+ panic defense, and remove barriers to the legal name change process.
Mishon Montgomery (she/her), Nevada State Assembly (District 17): Montgomery is an award-winning motivational speaker, trainer, strategist, and coach who served in the U.S. Air Force Veteran for over 20 years. She is also an Emerge alum and sits on the boards of Emerge Nevada.
Jessica González-Rojas (she/her), New York State Assembly (District 34): During her time in the legislature, González-Rojas has introduced and passed several pieces of legislation on maternal health, transgender rights, and healthcare transparency. Before running for office, she served as the Executive Director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice.
La’Tasha D. Mayes (she/her), Pennsylvania House of Representatives (District 24): In 2022, Mayes became the first out LGBTQ woman elected to the Pennsylvania legislature! Mayes is a nationally recognized leader in the field of reproductive justice, human rights and leadership development for Black women and girls.
Gabby Salinas (she/her), Tennessee House of Representatives (District 96): Salinas is a three-time cancer survivor, scientist, and healthcare advocate. If elected, Salinas would be the first out LGBTQ woman and the first Latinx person ever elected to the Tennessee legislature!
Jolanda Jones (she/her), Texas House of Representatives (District 147): Jones was first elected to the State House in 2022, becoming the first out LGBTQ Black woman elected to the Texas legislature! She previously served on the Houston City Council and the Houston Independent School Board of Trustees.
Casey Clowes (she/her), Salt River Project Board, AZ (At-Large Seat 11): Clowes is an attorney, voting rights advocate, and climate champion who currently works as the Voting Rights Director at Progress Arizona to fight for pro-voter and pro-democracy policies at the state legislature.
Lauren Cazares (she/her), La Mesa City Council, CA: Cazares is a lifelong resident of East County, San Diego, and a first-generation college graduate. She currently works as a Policy Advisor at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and has managed multiple campaigns, including that of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria.
Maria Sinkule (she/her/ella), DuPage County Board, IL (District 1): Sinkule works as a school social worker and recently started the school’s first GSA club. She was the first Latina to serve as President of the Illinois Association of School Social Workers and served as an elected Library Board Trustee from 2017 to 2023.
Mandi Remington (she/her), Johnson County Board of Supervisors, IA: Remington is the founder and Director of Corridor Community Action Network, a regional organization committed to improving overall quality of life for all.
Alyshia Dyer (she/her), Washtenaw County Sheriff, MI: Dyer served as a road patrol deputy and marine deputy at the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office for nearly a decade and currently works as a therapist and social worker. If elected, she would be the first Democratic woman sheriff in the state!
Joeigh Perella (she/her), Cumberland County Commission, NJ: Dr. Perella is a lifelong Cumberland County resident and practicing dentist. She ran for the Cumberland County Commission with LPAC’s endorsement in 2022.
Remy Drabkin (she/her), Mayor of McMinnville, OR: Drabkin was born in McMinnville and is the owner of and winemaker at Remy Wines in Dayton, in the Willamette Valley. In 2022, she was unanimously appointed Mayor before winning by election the following November.
Angelita Morillo (she/her), Portland City Council, OR (District 3): Morillo's experiences as a queer immigrant who has experienced homelessness have shaped her interest in local government and policy. She currently works as an anti-hunger policy advocate and runs an educational TikTok and Instagram - where she has 32,000 followers - to pull back the curtain on local government and policy for the average person.
Elana Pirtle-Guiney (she/her), Portland City Council, OR (District 2): Pirtle-Guiney has worked for the Oregon AFL-CIO and has served in policy roles under two Governors, including as Governor Kate Brown’s Legislative Director. She also convened state agencies and stakeholders to write Oregon's paid family leave law.
LPAC’s March endorsements underscore the organization's commitment to supporting candidates who advocate for the rights and representation of LGBTQ+ individuals and women. By championing these candidates, LPAC aims to ensure that diverse voices are heard and respected at all levels of government.
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