Multiple LGBTQ candidates announce their candidacy for the state legislature

by | Jul 1, 2020 | 0 comments

  • Chris Walton photographed by Ian DeGraff.
  • Jason Vangalis
  • Shaun Murphy-Lopez

Some members of the LGBTQ+ community launched campaigns for elected office this spring and will appear on the ballots this fall. 

On April 23 Madison resident Jason Vangalis announced his candidacy for Wisconsin State Assembly District 48, currently held by Rep. Melissa Sargent who will be running for longtime Senator Fred Risser’s Senate District 16 seat. 

With a platform that focuses on economic development, jobs and health care, Vangalis is emphasizing his progressive policy stances and has a campaign logo with rainbow, trans and black and brown stripes.

On May 7, Richland County Board Supervisor Shaun Murphy-Lopez declared his candidacy for Wisconsin State Assembly District 49. The seat is currently held by Republican Travis Tranel who is also running for reelection this fall. As a sign of his dedication to rural Wisconsin, Murphy-Lopez made his declaration of entering the race at the clerk’s office in the Village of Yuba (population 70) which is near the 80-acre grass farm where he lives with his husband.

“I am hopeful for our community—that we can begin to grow again—reversing decades of losses in farms, school enrollment, and population,” said Murphy-Lopez. “I’m running for the state legislature because current legislators aren’t solving those problems.”

On May 18 Milwaukee County Democratic Chair Chris Walton announced his candidacy for Wisconsin State Assembly District 17, currently held by David Crawley who is also serving as Milwaukee County Executive and who will not be seeking reelection to the Assembly. Walton was the youngest person to lead the political party in the county and would be the first out candidate elected to the seat.

Born and raised in Milwaukee, Walton worked on campaigns for President Barack Obama and Milwauee Alder Chantia Lewis. He serves on the Black Male Achievement Advisory Council for the City of Milwaukee and is a Community Outreach Liaison for the Milwaukee Mayor’s office, focusing on serving Milwaukee’s African-American, LGBT, faith-based, veteran, and labor communities.

Article Tags

Ballet - Timeless - Banner
Advert 77
MGHA tournament

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advert 77
MGHA tournament
Ballet - Timeless - Banner

Latest News

TRACE Your Transition

TRACE Your Transition

Madison-born Taylor Greene (he/him) has created the world’s first mobile application for transgender and non-binary individuals. TRACE is an acronym representing the app’s purpose: Transition, recording, and community engagement.

Camp & Glamp Adventures

Camp & Glamp Adventures

Like so many, Nichie Bendt and Terri “Zeke” Zeman survived the isolation and disruption of Covid by finding ways to stay connected to their community (and to sanity) by getting outside and finding peace and joy through camping and outdoor adventures. They have now started a Brooklyn, Wisconsin-based hospitality business rooted in luxury camping accommodations and the creation of memorable experiences.

LGBTQ-owned madison Restaurant Harvest to Remain Closed

LGBTQ-owned madison Restaurant Harvest to Remain Closed

The pandemic and subsequent hardships with inflation, changing consumer habits, and difficulty keeping staff have caused the closure of Madison institution: Harvest. The fine dining establishment on the Capitol Square had been a staple for 20 years. The owner, Tami...

A Year of Crucial Elections

A Year of Crucial Elections

It’s 2024, and Americans are bracing for a contentious, ugly election year. The ugliness at the national level is well covered, but many LGBTQ+ Wisconsinites are bracing for their own key elections as state and local officials go head to head, many citing recent anti-gay and trans rhetoric and legislation as a reason to fear the outcomes, should right-wing candidates win.

Project celebrates the legacy of the Gay Rights State

Project celebrates the legacy of the Gay Rights State

Madison, WI - Did you know? Sunday, February 25th is the 42nd anniversary of Wisconsin becoming the first Gay Rights State in the nation. On February 25, 1982, Governor Lee Dreyfus passed Assembly Bill 70 into law, banning discrimination against gays and lesbians in...

Latest News

VIEW ALL LATEST NEWS

DCHS Wildlife Center
Ballet - Timeless - 300x300
Division of the arts

Events

SUBMIT AN EVENT

VIEW ALL EVENTS

Jobs

SUBMIT A JOB POSTING

VIEW ALL JOBS

Popular Tags

Pin It on Pinterest