2022 was a historic election year, with a record-breaking 678 LGBTQ+ candidates running for office and more than half winning their races. Now, the 2024 election cycle is in full swing. While we don’t have a total number of 2024 LGBTQ+ candidates yet, the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, a “national organization dedicated to electing out LGBTQ+ people,” has already endorsed 90 candidates nationwide. From school boards to state representative races, here are 11 candidates to check out this election.
California
Christopher Cabaldon – Running for California State Senate, District 3
Cabaldon is the former longtime mayor of West Sacramento, serving for over 20 years in the position. He served on President Barack Obama’s College Promise board, which worked to expand opportunities for higher education, beginning with two-year programs at community colleges. Cabaldon brought the program home and established the West Sacramento Home Run program, guaranteeing local high school students the opportunity for tuition-free higher education.
Cabaldon is a member of the California Democrats AAPI, Filipino and LGBTQ+ caucuses. For his state senate campaign, he’s running on a platform of building more affordable housing, addressing the homelessness crisis, expanding education and creating a more robust economy for the people of California. When he’s not working to affect policy, he serves as a professor of government at Sacramento State University. Learn more about Christopher Cabaldon here.
Fidencio Gallardo – Running for Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education, District 5
Mayor of Bell, California, Fidencio Gallardo has been an educator for 27 years in the Los Angeles school system. Gallardo came out in 1988, in part to create a welcoming and accepting place for LGBTQ+ students and parents. If elected to the school board, the Democrat aims to reduce class sizes, make up for learning losses that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, create more green space and fight for environmental justice, African American student achievement and LGBTQ+ equity, among other priorities. Learn more about Fidencio Gallardo here.
Lisa Middleton – Running for State Senate, District 28
Palm Springs City Councilmember Lisa Middleton made history in 2017 as the first transgender person elected to a non-judicial political office in California. In 2022, she served as Palm Springs’s mayor and represented the city in the Riverside County Transportation Commission. A longtime LGBTQ+ advocate, she also serves on the board of directors for Equality California Institute. If elected, Middleton would be the first out transgender person to serve in the California Legislature. She’s running a Democratic platform on several issues, including safer communities, reproductive freedom and infrastructure. Learn more about Lisa Middleton here.
Colorado
Kyra deGruy Kennedy – Running for Colorado House of Representatives, District 30
A first-time candidate for statewide political office, Democrat Kyra deGruy Kennedy is a policy expert with a background in the healthcare industry. deGruy Kennedy has worked on dozens of bills in the past, many of which focused on working families and education. Also, the bisexual mother of a young child and wife of current District 30 Rep. Chris deGruy Kennedy, she’s running for her husband’s term limited seat. deGruy Kennedy is frank about the struggles she faced in her youth and now works to help others in her position. Learn more about Kyra deGruy Kennedy here.
Delaware
Sarah McBride – Running for U.S. House of Representatives, Delaware – at large
Delaware State Senator Sarah McBride first made headlines in 2016 as the first transgender person to speak at the Democratic National Convention. Since then, McBride was elected to the Delaware Senate in 2020, where she is the Chair of the Delaware General Assembly Health & Social Services committee. Before her time in office, she served as a national spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign. For her campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives, McBride is running on a platform of tackling climate change, expanding access and reducing health care costs, reproductive rights and criminal justice reform. Learn more about Sarah McBride here.
Georgia
Imani Barnes – Running for Georgia House of Representatives, District 86
Rep. Imani Barnes is the incumbent representative for District 86. Barnes took office in 2023, filling a vacant seat in the district and winning a runoff election with 48% of the vote. Now she’s running again to keep her seat. The public health doctoral candidate and biomedical research scientist has been hard at work this past year sponsoring bills to help children in Georgia and fighting against using vouchers that would take away money from Georgia public schools. Learn more about Rep. Imani Barnes here.
Montana
SK Rossi – Running for Montana House of Representatives, District 82
A 20-year veteran of public policy reform and advocacy, SK Rossi is the former Director of Advocacy and Policy for the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana and Legal and Public Policy Director for the Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. Currently heading up their own public policy firm, Central House Strategies, this is Rossi’s first candidacy for Montana public office. Key issues include Medicaid accessibility, workers’ rights, attainable housing and defending Montana’s outdoor spaces. Learn more about SK Rossi here.
Pennsylvania
Malcolm Kenyatta – Running for Auditor General
A rising star in American politics, Representative Malcolm Kenyatta currently serves in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Kenyatta made history when he was elected in 2018, making him the first LGBTQ+ person of color elected to the Assembly. In 2020, he was chosen to deliver the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. In running for Auditor General, Kenyatta says it’s time for the “underdog to be a watchdog for Pennsylvania’s working families.” His platform includes rebuilding the Bureau of School Audits, creating worker liaisons and helping make communities safer and healthier. Learn more about Malcolm Kenyatta here.
Texas
Julie Johnson – Running for U.S. House of Representatives, TX-32
Julie Johnson currently serves in the Texas House of Representatives, where she is a member of the House’s LGBTQ Caucus. Johnson, a Democrat, has worked to defeat anti-LGBTQ+ legislation like House Bill 3172, which would have allowed “protection of religious beliefs and moral convictions, including beliefs and convictions regarding marriage.” If elected, Johnson pledges to fight to reinstate Texas’ reproduction rights, raise the age for gun ownership, push back against extremism and protect the Affordable Care Act. Learn more about Julie Johnson here.
Utah
Dustin Gettel – Running for Salt Lake County Council, At-Large
Democrat Dustin Gettel is currently a member of the City Council in Midvale, a suburb of Salt Lake City, which is one of the state’s most progressive councils. He’s now running for Salt Lake City Council on issues like justice and individual freedom, creating affordable housing and the rights of the unhoused. Gettel is one of the few openly LGBTQ+ politicians in Utah and has spoken out against issues like conversion therapy, racism and animal cruelty. Learn more about Dustin Gettel here.
West Virginia
Rosemary Ketchum – Running for Mayor of Wheeling
Community organizer and Democrat Rosemary Ketchum became involved in politics during the 2016 election. “After working on dozens of rallies, protests, marches, and one too many vigils – I realized that it’s easier to replace a politician than to convince one,” said Ketchum. In 2020, Ketchum ran for and won her election for a position on the Wheeling City Council, making her the first transgender woman elected to office in West Virginia. Now, she has her sights set on becoming mayor of Wheeling. Learn more about Rosemary Ketchum here.