LPAC Endorses Angie Craig for Senate, 7 Local Candidates

Washington, D.C. –Today, LPAC, the nation’s only organization dedicated to advancing the political representation of LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary candidates, endorsed eight out LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary candidates for Congressional and local offices. Included in this slate is current U.S. Representative Angie Craig (MN), the first openly LGBTQ+ member of Congress from Minnesota and the first lesbian mother to serve in Congress, who will be running for a Senate seat in 2026.

On the local level, endorsed candidates include Tonya Noel Stevens, the Co-founder of Flower City Noire Collective, who is running for Rochester City Council; Marsha Silverman, current Glen Cove City Council member running for Mayor of Glen Cove; and Heather Quaas-Annsa, Director at Community Supported Shelters and member of the Lane County Poverty and Homelessness Board and the Equity Program Advisory Committee, running for Springfield Public Schools Board in Oregon. 

“This is a monumental moment for our movement,” said Janelle Perez, Executive Director of LPAC. “Last year, we doubled our bench of LGBTQ+ women in the House—and now, electing Angie Craig to the U.S. Senate would be the first step in turning a single seat into a bench. LPAC has proudly supported Angie’s bold, trailblazing leadership in Congress, and we are honored to endorse her historic run for Senate. Let’s show our strength and make it clear: LGBTQ+ women belong at every table where decisions are made.”

"LPAC has been a steadfast ally throughout my political journey, and I’m honored to have their endorsement,” said Angie Craig. “As a mom and a grandmother, I understand the challenges families face — from the rising cost of living to the need for accessible health care and the fight to protect our fundamental freedoms. Minnesotans need a leader who delivers real solutions. I’m proud to stand with LPAC as they continue to support leaders grounded in real-life experience."

LPAC endorses the following candidates:

2025

Oregon
Heather Quaas-Annsa (she/her), Springfield Public Schools Board (Position 2)

Pennsylvania 
Shannon Zimmerman (she/her), Manheim Township Board of School Directors

New York 

  • Brittany Bonanno (she/her), Webster Town Court Judge, NY (District 25)

  • Marsha Silverman (she/her), Mayor of Glen Cove, New York

  • Tonya Noel Stevens (she/they), Rochester City Council, NY (At-Large)

Minnesota 
Cathy Abene (any), Minneapolis Park Board of Commissioners (District 6)

New Jersey 
Becca Niitzel (she/her), Kent Town Board, NY

2026

Minnesota
Angie Craig (she/her), U.S. Senate (MN)

Press ReleaseTeam LPAC