LGBTQ+ Stories You Should Know About

Victory in Arizona and Tennessee!

We’re thrilled to announce that a super-majority of our Arizona candidates won on Tuesday! Maricopa County Board of Supervisors incumbent Steve Gallardo and State Reps Lorena Austin and Patricia Contreras were uncontested in the primary.

Analise Ortiz for Arizona State Senate, Oscar de los Santos for the Arizona State House, Lupe Conchas for Glendale City Council all had contested primaries – and pulled off big wins!

Several of our endorsed candidates had elections in Tennessee. Noah Nordstrom is unopposed in his primary for the Tennessee House of Representatives in District 83, and Zach Young is unopposed in the general election for Metro Nashville School Board District 3.

Zach will be the first out LGBTQ+ person elected to a school board in TN- but not the first to serve. Mauricio Calvo, the newest member of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools board, was recently sworn in. Learn more about him here!

Sadly, Spotlight candidate Matthew Park was just short of victory for the Knox County Commission. Next time, Matthew!

Many of these candidates will have tossup races in the November general, so there’s plenty of tough fights ahead in these states. Stay tuned for more updates!

Kansas, Michigan, Missouri and Washington: You’re Up Next!

On August 6, voters will have the chance to select LGBTQ+ candidates in Kansas, Michigan, Missouri and Washington!

Dave Upthegrove is working hard to be the first out LGBTQ+ statewide executive office holder in Washington! Read up on his plans for office here.

Emily Randall, our candidate for the U.S. House, WA-06, is facing a tough primary with multiple opponents. Check out the state of the race here.

In the Washington State Senate, Maria Beltran is working to reach all the voters of District 14, ensuring that her community has the knowledge and resources to cast their ballots next week.

Running in a neighboring district, Chelsea Dimas is also racking up community support. Check out these letters to the editor supporting her campaign!

Watch Spotlight candidate Colin Lovett’s first campaign ad and learn why he’s running for Missouri House!

Leslie Blackburn caught up with Michigan Live and detailed her campaign to be one of the first out LGBTQ+ people elected to the Lodi Township Board!

QUICK HITS: The News in a Moment

Families are complicated, and no one knows that better than Florida House candidate Joe Saunders. His aunt is running a “ghost campaign” against him, and Joe is taking her to court. Joe spoke with CBS Miami to talk about the case, his plans for office and more. And he’s still hard at work on the campaign trail too!

Somehow, Kim Davis has returned, and this time she’s petitioning the Supreme Court. Read up on her latest attempt to roll back LGBTQ+ rights.

A big endorsement for Mondaire Jones, running for New York’s 17th Congressional District: Hillary Clinton is supporting his campaign!

Christy Holstege, running for the California State Senate, announced new fundraising numbers: she’s raised $1.3 million dollars in her race!

Spotlight candidate Nate Douglas earned two endorsements from Florida For All and FL LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus in his pivotal race for the Florida House!

SEIU Florida is standing with David Richardson is his race to be Miami-Dade County’s first elected Tax Collector!

Devin Murphy officially announced he’s running for reelection to the Pinole City Council!