LPAC Endorses Jolanda Jones for Congress, 6 Local LGBTQ+ Women Candidates

Washington, D.C. –Today, LPAC, the nation’s only organization dedicated to advancing the political representation of LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary candidates, endorsed seven out LGBTQ+ women for Congress and local offices. 

Rep. Jolanda Jones is a CNN Hero and the first out Black LGBTQ woman elected to the Texas state legislature, and is now running to represent Texas District 18 in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

"I am proud to stand with LPAC as we work to increase representation for and with LGBTQ women and nonbinary candidates,” said Rep. Jolanda Jones. “If I win my campaign, I will be the first out, Black lesbian to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives – and I will use my platform and every bit of political capital I have to stop Donald Trump from trampling our rights, crippling our families, and taking our country backward. Thank you, LPAC!"

Vanessa Villanova is chair of the Austerlitz Housing Committee, co-founder of New York City’s first LGBTQ+ social sports organization, and is now running for Austerlitz Town Supervisor in New York. Lisa Keating is the Executive Director of the Washington State LGBTQ+ Commission and is running for Tacoma School Board in Washington. 

“LPAC-endorsed leaders are all about making history, and this month’s slate aims to do exactly that,” said Janelle Perez, Executive Director of LPAC. “Jolanda Jones is a trailblazer, defending LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and democracy as an out LGBTQ+ Black woman legislator. She was one of the Texas Democrats who fled the state to stop MAGA-led Republican redistricting schemes and protect Texas voters. Our candidates are the frontline resistance to these attacks, and we are proud to fight alongside them every step of the way.”

LPAC endorses the following candidates:

North Carolina 

  •  Danté Anderson (she/her), Charlotte City Council, NC (District 1)

Iowa

  • Sam Wilson (she/her), Cedar Rapids City Council, IA (District 1)

Massachusetts

  • Laurie Sawyer (she/her), Attleboro City Council, MA (At-Large)

New York

  • Vanessa Villanova (she/her), Austerlitz Town Supervisor, NY

Texas 

  • Jolanda Jones (she/her), U.S. House of Representatives, TX-18

Washington 

  • Jessica Ivey (she/her), Burien City Council, WA (Position 1)

  • Lisa Keating (she/her), Tacoma School Board, WA (Position 1)

Press ReleaseTeam LPAC