Endorsements
Advocates for Trans Equality is thrilled to endorse a group of groundbreaking candidates for the 2026 elections. Each of these leaders has demonstrated a deep commitment to the rights and well-being of the transgender community. Their campaigns are vital to ensuring fair and inclusive representation. Here’s a closer look at our endorsed candidates:
Minnesota state legislators Liish Kozlowski (they/them) and Leigh Finke (she/her) stand in front of the U.S. Capitol at our TRANSform the Vote Rally in March 2024.
2026 Endorsements
Federal Endorsements
Beth Andres-Beck (MA-6)
Beth Andres-Beck (Any Pronouns) will prioritize healthcare for everyone, expanding education, fighting big corporation, and being a champion for the working class.
Diana DeGette for U.S. Congress (CO-1)
Diana DeGette (She/Her) was a founder and former Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus.
Bree Fram for U.S. Congress (VA-11)
Bree Fram (She/Her) is a retired Air Force colonel and national security leader. She was kicked out of the military for being trans by the Trump administration. With decades of experience serving her country, Bree brings principled, steady leadership focused on protecting democracy, defending LGBTQ people, and delivering for working families.
Sarah McBride for U.S. Congress (DE)
Sarah McBride (She/Her) will continue to bring a proven record of bipartisan problem solving and a deep commitment to economic dignity, safe communities, and strengthening democracy.
State Endorsements
Zoey Carter for Illinois State House (District 93)
Zoey Carter (She/Her) is focused on creating safer schools, expanding healthcare access, and strengthening rural and working class communities too often overlooked by state leadership.
Erin Chapman-Smith for Washington State House (District 29)
Erin Chapman-Smith (She/Her) serves as Executive Director for Washington's largest and lowest-barrier shelter for young adults. She is also a parent to an autistic child. These two experiences make housing, youth services healthcare, and public systems some of her more important campaign priorities.
Arienne Childrey for Ohio State House (District 84)
Arienne Childrey (She/Her) is a former city councilmember (and first trans councilmember in Ohio) and also current Vice-Chair of the Ohio Democratic Party Pride Caucus.
Evan Done for Utah State Senate (District 13)
Evan Done (He/Him) has decades of organizing experience in his community and currently works for organization that serves individuals who are in recovery. He is also open about being in recovery himself. His top issues are attainable housing, protecting and saving the Great Sale Lake, and standing up for marginalized communities.
Dianté Edwards for Maryland State House (District 40)
A U.S. Navy veteran, Dianté Edwards (He/Him) is the youngest and most progressive candidate in his race.
Alexis Hoffkling for Colorado State House (District 23)
Alexis Hoffkling (She/Her) is a family physician and LGBTQ+ health provider running to defend access to gender-affirming care, protect students’ rights, and champion data-driven solutions that improve everyday lives.
Ryder Kessler for New York State Assembly (District 66)
Ryder Kessler (He/Him) has been endorsed by the Working Families Party, Run for Something, Stonewall Democrats, Equality NY PAC, and several community leaders and organizations. As a lifelong New Yorker from this district, he hopes to lower costs, create safer streets, and build better neighborhoods.
Sunjay Kumar for Illinois State House (District 13)
Sunjay Kumar (They/Them) brings an organizing rooted approach to legislating that centers coalition building across race, class, and language. Their campaign focuses on defending gender affirming care and standing up to state violence while continuing Illinois’ legacy as a national leader on trans inclusive and progressive policy.
Anthony Looney for Kentucky State House (District 81)
Anthony Looney (He/Him) is a nurse practitioner and first-time candidate running to help break the Republican supermajority and bring compassionate, commonsense leadership back to Frankfort.
Audrey Lux for Georgia State House (District 94)
Audrey Lux (She/Her) will lower costs of living, defend gender-affirming healthcare, repeal Georgia’s trans sports ban, and pass comprehensive civil rights protections so every Georgian can live with dignity, safety, and opportunity.
Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford for Wisconsin State Assembly (District 76)
Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford (She/Her) is a current Madison Wisconsin Council Woman. She is running for Assembly she would make history as the first openly trans person to win elected office at the state level in Wisconsin.
Robin McCoy for Georgia State Senate (District 5)
Robin McCoy (She/They) is an organizer running to protect trans youth, strengthen civil rights protections statewide, and push back on book bans and healthcare restrictions with a bold, accountable, and people-powered campaign.
Brienna Parsons for Colorado State House (District 36)
Brienna Parsons (She/Her) is building a movement powered by neighbors, workers, and tenants who want a more progressive, accountable representative who will boldly champion those most impacted by rising costs and discrimination.
Alleria Stanley for Maryland House of Delegates (District 4)
Alleria Stanley (She/Her) s a retired U.S. Army senior NCO, trans woman, and mother of five running for Maryland State Delegate in District 4 to defend freedom, healthcare access, and dignity for all families.
Aiden Swallow for Arizona State House (District 19)
Aiden Swallow (She/Her) is a decorated Army veteran and counterintelligence specialist running for the Arizona House in LD19. After nearly 20 years of military service and two combat deployments, Aiden was pushed out simply for being trans. A born fighter who refuses to be silenced, she’s stepping up to confront dangerous misinformation and champion protections for trans and nonbinary Arizonans.
Jaelynn Scott for Washington State House (District 37)
As Executive Director of the Lavender Rights Project, Jaelynn Scott (She/Her) has advanced justice and support for Black gender diverse communities in Washington State. Her legislative priories are affordable housing, economic justice, care for neighbors, and strengthening public safety.
Representative Brianna Titone for State Treasurer (CO)
Representative Brianna Titone (She/Her) is running for Colorado State Treasurer to bring equity, transparency, and fiscal responsibility to the state’s financial future. She would be the first openly trans person in U.S. history to serve at a state executive level.
Monica VanBuskirk for Colorado State House (District 9)
Monica VanBuskirk (She/Her) is an LGBTQI+ parent, who will prioritize making healthcare, childcare, and housing affordable.
Joanna Whaley for Michigan State House (District 2)
A former pastor who was fired for being trans, Joanna Whaley (She/Her) would like to address healthcare access, public safety, and civil liberties.
Local Endorsements
Precious Brady-Davis for Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (IL)
Precious Brady-Davis (She/Her) is an environmental advocate, public speaker, and trans trailblazer running for Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Precious is focused on protecting clean water and ensuring that frontline communities most impacted by climate change are prioritized.
Lena Chipman for Shelby County Commission District 13 (TN)
Lena Chipman (They/She) is a community leader running to ensure every Shelby County resident has a fair shot to thrive.
Ashley Esposito for Baltimore City Board of Education (MD)
Ashley Esposito (She/Her) is a proud mom, educator, and incumbent member of the Baltimore City Board of Education running for re-election to continue her fight for equity, inclusion, and student-centered leadership.
Michael Farrington for Regional Transportation District Board of Directors, District K (CO)
Michael Farrington (He/Him) he wants to help make sure transit is accessible so folks, including trans people, can get to appointments with the help of reliable transportation.
V Fixmer-Oraiz for District 4 Johnson County Supervisor (IA)
V Fixmer-Oraiz (They/Them) is currently the only trans County Supervisor in Iowa and this is their re-election campaign. During their term, they passed a moratorium on data centers, purchased a 15-unit apartment complexes to turn into a housing project for houseless veterans, and more.
Janeese Lewis George for Mayor of Washington, DC
If elected, Janeese Lewis George (She/Her) plans to establish an LGBTQ Youth Advisory Council and is committed to advocating for trans Washingtonians.
Evelyn Kocher for Beaverton City Council (OR)
Evelyn Kocher (She/Her) is an organizer and longtime policy advocate running for Beaverton City Council to bring inclusive, community rooted leadership to her hometown. She is focused on protecting trans healthcare and expanding civic participation.
Michael Mazzocco for Phoenix City Council District 4 (AZ)
Michael Mazzocco (He/Him) is a respected and known advocate for equity and business. He served six years on the Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce, including four as Board President. Currently, he serves on the board of GLSEN, and is the Chair of the Phoenix Human Relations Commission.
Jamie McGonnigal for Prince George's County Board of Education, District 3 (MD)
Jamie McGonnigal (He/They) is a gay dad who is also the PTA President at their child's elementary school. If elected as board member, he would advocate for policies that better support school counselors, mental health professionals, and trans students.
Quinnie Perez for Soil and Water Conservation District 1 (FL)
Quinnie Perez (She/Her) is a farmworker and climate advocate running for Florida’s Soil and Water Conservation District 1 to protect land, water, and the people who work it. Quinnie is focused on immigrant farmworker rights, environmental stewardship, and community resilience.
Neil Polzin for Covina City Treasurer (CA)
Neil Polzin (He/They) is running for re-election to push back against exclusionary practices and ensure that Covina’s policies and public spaces reflect dignity and belonging for transgender and nonbinary residents.
Bri Sérráno for Covina City Council (CA)
Bri Sérráno (He/They) is running to deliver inclusive, community-grounded leadership. hey are focused on safety, lifting working families and immigrants.
Aria X. Trucios for Dane County Board Supervisor District 9 (WI)
Aria X. Trucios (They/Them) is a trans community advocate and working class organizer running for Dane County Board Supervisor District 9 to protect gender affirming healthcare and lower the cost of living so every resident has a future worth believing in.
Past Endorsements
2025
- Ashley Shade – North Adams City Council (Massachusetts)
- Erica Deuso – Mayor of Downington, Pennsylvania
- Rev. DeWayne Davis – Mayor of Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Jerry Toompas – Port of Olympia Commissioner, District 2 (Washington)
- Isabel Mata – Lynnwood City Council, Position 2 (Washington)
- Cayden Davis – Worcester City Council At-Large (Massachusetts)
- Elyse Jenkins – West Chester School Board (Ohio)
- Jack Kavanaugh – Amherst Town Board (New York)
2024
- Kamala Harris – President of the United States
- Ashley Brundage – Florida State House of Representatives District 65
- Leigh Finke – Minnesota State House of Representatives District 66A
- Veronica Pejril – Indiana State Senate District 24
- Dee Elder – South Carolina State Senate District 24
- Rachel T. Booth – New Hampshire State House of Representatives District 5
- Nathan Bruemmer – Florida State House of Representatives District 61
- Emma Curtis – County Council District 4, Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky
- Allison Heimes – Nebraska State Senate District 39
- Lexi Melton – Tennessee State House District 35
- Sarah McBride – U.S. Congress, Delaware At-Large
- Ari Faber – Ohio State Senate District 30
2023
- Charlotte A. Scherer – Alexandria City Council
- Danica Roem – Virginia State Senator District 30
2019
- Danica Roem – Virginia State Delegate District 13
2018
- Brianna Titone – Colorado State Representative
- Gerri Cannon – New Hampshire State Representative
- Alexandra Chandler – U.S. House of Representatives (MA-3)
- Christine Hallquist – Governor of Vermont
- Kim Coco Iwamoto – Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii
- Amelia Marquez – Montana House of Representatives
- Melissa Sklarz – New York State Assembly
2017
- Andrea Jenkins – Minneapolis City Council
- Phillipe Cunningham – Minneapolis City Council
- Danica Roem – Virginia State Delegate
Running for Office?
If you are interested in our endorsement process and would like to apply please do so at this link to our endorsement application.
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