Georgia Stonewall Democrats endorsed 72 candidates, including 11 LGBTQ ones, in races across Georgia, saying they will “make our state fairer and more equitable.”
The endorsements include candidates in county offices and state legislative races. Many of the endorsed candidates face contested races in the June 9 primaries. Early voting opened on Monday.
“In 2020, we count 72 strong voices stepping up to serve in elected positions all around the state,” the group said. “Thank you to the many candidates and advocates, current and past, who continue to push for change. One election cycle at a time we can make our state fairer and more equitable for all.”
“Each of these endorsed candidates has demonstrated their desire to support progressive policies and fight for the important issues and concerns within our community,” the group added.
The endorsements, issued Wednesday, include 11 LGBTQ candidates. Among those are the five current LGBTQ members of the state House who are seeking re-election – state Reps. Park Cannon, Karla Drenner, Sam Park, Renitta Shannon and Matthew Wilson. Cannon doesn't face opposition. Shannon faces an opponent in the Democratic primary in June, while Park and Wilson face Republicans in the November general election. Drenner faces an Independent challenger in November.
Other LGBTQ candidates backed by Stonewall Democrats include state House candidates Julie Jordan, Marvin Lim, Josh McNair and Alex Wan, state Senate candidate Kim Jackson and Curt Thompson, who is running in a crowded primary for chair of the Gwinnett County Commission.
Wan (photo), a former member of the Atlanta City Council, praised the endorsement in a statement to supporters.
“I am honored by the support of the Georgia Stonewall Democrats and appreciate that they recognize my ongoing commitment to leadership and collaboration within and on behalf of our community,” Wan said. “I’m committed to continuing to be the voice of the LGBTQ community and all communities, this time in the Georgia Legislature.”
Wan, who has also been endorsed by the Victory Fund, faces a crowded Democratic primary with four other candidates. They include Kyle Lamont, who is also gay, Stacey Evans, Orianna Sanders and Jenne Shepherd. Stonewall Democrats also endorsed Evans, a former state lawmaker and gubernatorial candidate. There are no Republican candidates in the race, so the winner of the Democratic primary will take the office.
The group did not endorse five other LGBTQ candidates who are also in state races. They are state House candidates Jonathan Gilreath-Harvey, Lamont and Andrew Niquette and Mac Sims, and state Senate candidates Kelly Johnson and Devin Barrington Ward.
At least 17 LGBTQ candidates are running for the Georgia General Assembly this year, including one Republican – Cody Smith in District 3. Other LGBTQ candidates include former state lawmaker Keisha Sean Waites (U.S. House District 13) and Marckeith DeJesus (U.S. Senate). Both are Democrats.
The full list of endorsements from Georgia Stonewall Democrats:
Georgia State Senate
Jen Jordan for State Senate District 6
Travis Johnson for State Senate District 14
Kelly Rose for State Senate District 17
Harold Jones for State Senate District 22
Brooke Griffiths for State Senate District 27
Triana Arnold-James for State Senate District 30
Christine Treibsch for State Senate District 32
Nan Orrock for State Senate District 36
Turner W. Rentz for State Senate District 37
Michael Carson for State Senate District 38
Nikema Williams for State Senate District 39
Sally Harrell for State Senate District 40
Kim Jackson for State Senate District 41
Elena Parent for State Senate District 42
Gail Davenport for State Senate District 44
Dr. Michelle Au for State Senate District 48
Sarah Beeson for State Senate District 56
Georgia State House of Representatives
Ginny Lennox for State Representative District 20
William Hughes for State Representative District 21
Christa Olenczak for State Representative District 25
Mary Frances Williams for State Representative District 37
David Wilkerson for State Representative District 38
Erica Thomas for State Representative District 39
Erick Allen for State Representatives District 40
Teri Anulewicz for State Representative District 42
Louisa Wakeman for State Representative District 43
Connie Di Cicco State Representative District 44
Sarah Tindall Ghazal for State Representative District 45
Caroline Holko for State Representative District 46
Angelika Kausche for State Representative District 50
Shea Roberts for State Representative District 52
Sheila Jones for State Representative District 53
Betsy Holland for State Representative District 54
Josh McNair for State Representative District 56
Stacey Evans for State Representative District 57
Alex Wan for State Representative District 57
Park Cannon for State Representative District 58
David Dryer for State Representative District 59
Derrick Jackson for State Representative District 64
Herbert Giles for State Representative District 69
Sandra Scott for State Representative District 76
Mike Wilensky for State Representative District 79
Matt Wilson for State Representative District 80
Scott Holcomb for State Representative District 81
Mary Margaret Oliver for State Representative District 82
Renitta Shannon for State Representative District 84
Karla Drenner for State Representative District 85
Michele Henson for State Representative District 86
Billy Mitchell for State Representative District 88
Bee Nguyen for State House Representative District 89
Rhonda Taylor for State Representative District 91
Dar’shun Kendrick for State Representative District 93
Karen Bennett for State Representative District 94
Pedro Marin for State Representative District 96
Marvin Lim for State Representative District 99
Sam Park for State Representative District 101
Clifton Marshall for State Representative District 103
Andrea Stephenson for State Representative District 104
Rebecca Mitchell for State Representative District 106
Jasmine Clark for State Representative District 108
Ebony Carter for State Representative District 110
Pam Dickerson for State Representative District 113
Mokah Jasmine Johnson for State Representative District 117
Spencer Frye for State Representative District 118
Jonathan Wallace for State Representative District 119
Regina Awung for State Representative District 148
Julie Jordan for State Representative District 179
County Offices
John Q Williams for Clarke County Sheriff
Curt Thompson for Gwinnett County Commission Chair
Robert Patrick for Dekalb Commissioner District 1
Ted Terry for Dekalb Commission Super District 6
Natalie Hall for Fulton Commission District 4
