Washington, D.C. — As the 2024 election cycle gains momentum, the LGBTQ+ community continues to make significant strides in political representation. Following the historic 2022 elections, where a record-breaking 678 LGBTQ+ candidates ran for office, the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund has already endorsed 90 candidates nationwide. From seasoned politicians to first-time candidates, here are 11 LGBTQ+ candidates across various states to keep an eye on in the upcoming elections:
CALIFORNIA
Fidencio Gallardo – Running for Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education, District 5 — Mayor of Bell, California, Gallardo, an educator for 27 years, aims to reduce class sizes, address learning losses post-COVID-19, and advocate for environmental justice, African American student achievement, and LGBTQ+ equity.
Christopher Cabaldon – Running for California State Senate, District 3 — Former longtime mayor of West Sacramento, Cabaldon brings over 20 years of experience in public service. His platform focuses on affordable housing, homelessness, education, and economic growth.
Lisa Middleton – Running for State Senate, District 28 — Palm Springs City Councilmember and former mayor, Middleton, who made history in 2017 as the first transgender person elected to a non-judicial political office in California, focuses on safer communities, reproductive freedom, and infrastructure.
COLORADO
Kyra deGruy Kennedy – Running for Colorado House of Representatives, District 30 — A policy expert in healthcare and a first-time candidate, deGruy Kennedy advocates for working families and education. She is the wife of current District 30 Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, seeking to fill his term-limited seat.
DELAWARE
Sarah McBride – Running for U.S. House of Representatives, Delaware – at large — Delaware State Senator and national spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, McBride focuses on climate change, healthcare accessibility, reproductive rights, and criminal justice reform.
GEORGIA
Imani Barnes – Running for Georgia House of Representatives, District 86 — Incumbent Representative for District 86, Barnes, a public health doctoral candidate, fights for children’s rights, opposes using vouchers that harm Georgia public schools, and supports LGBTQ+ equity.
MONTANA
SK Rossi – Running for Montana House of Representatives, District 82 — A veteran in public policy reform and advocacy, Rossi, the former Director of Advocacy and Policy for the ACLU of Montana, advocates for Medicaid accessibility, workers’ rights, housing, and defending Montana’s outdoor spaces.
PENNSYLVANIA
Malcolm Kenyatta – Running for Auditor General — A rising star in American politics, Kenyatta, the first LGBTQ+ person of color elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, pledges to be a watchdog for working families, focusing on rebuilding the Bureau of School Audits and community safety.
TEXAS
Julie Johnson – Running for U.S. House of Representatives, TX-32 — Texas House Representative and LGBTQ Caucus member, Johnson fights against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, pledging to reinstate Texas’ reproduction rights, raise the age for gun ownership, push back against extremism, and protect the Affordable Care Act.
UTAH
Dustin Gettel – Running for Salt Lake County Council, At-Large — A member of the Midvale City Council, Gettel, one of the few openly LGBTQ+ politicians in Utah, focuses on justice, individual freedom, affordable housing, and the rights of the unhoused.
WEST VIRGINIA
Rosemary Ketchum – Running for Mayor of Wheeling — A community organizer, Ketchum became the first transgender woman elected to office in West Virginia in 2020. Now running for Mayor of Wheeling, she emphasizes her commitment to making a positive impact on the community.
As the LGBTQ+ community continues to break barriers and seek representation across various political offices, these 11 candidates represent a diverse and dedicated group committed to fostering positive change in their respective communities. Keep an eye on their campaigns as they contribute to the ongoing journey toward inclusive and representative governance.
