BY: Nick Fulton
Published 5 minutes ago
As the 2026 election cycle ramps up, LGBTQIA+ candidates across the country are entering the political arena with ambitions to shape policy at the local, state, and federal levels. Amid ongoing legislative attacks on civil rights, healthcare, and affordability, these leaders bring visibility and lived experience to their races. Here are five LGBTQIA+ candidates whose campaigns could make 2026 the gayest year in politics.
1. Angie Craig — U.S. Senate Candidate (Minnesota)
In a historic bid for the U.S. Senate, Representative Angie Craig is running in Minnesota’s 2026 election with the potential to become her state’s first openly LGBTQIA+ senator. Craig has represented Minnesota in the U.S. House of Representatives and garnered an endorsement from the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, a prominent organization that supports queer political candidates.
Her campaign emphasizes expanding access to affordable healthcare, safeguarding reproductive rights, and protecting LGBTQIA+ equality under federal law. If successful, Craig’s election would mark a significant milestone for queer representation in the Senate.
2. JoAnna Mendoza — Congressional Candidate (Arizona)
Marine veteran JoAnna Mendoza is running for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District in 2026, aiming to unseat Republican incumbent Juan Ciscomani. Mendoza’s campaign has been highlighted by Equality PAC as part of its slate of LGBTQIA+ endorsed House candidates, underscoring her dual identity as a veteran and an out LGBTQIA+ public servant.
Her platform focuses on veteran services, economic opportunity, and inclusive policies that support diverse families. Mendoza’s bid reflects a broader movement of LGBTQIA+ service members and veterans entering electoral politics.
3. Mike Simmons — Congressional Candidate (Illinois)
State Senator Mike Simmons is another notable LGBTQIA+ figure running for the U.S. House in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. His campaign, also backed by Equality PAC, would make Simmons the first Ethiopian-American and one of the few LGBTQIA+ representatives in Congress.
Simmons has a legislative record addressing affordable housing, renters’ rights, and food insecurity. His campaign frames inclusive governance as essential to addressing inequalities that affect both queer communities and broader constituencies.
4. Maebe Pudlo — California State Senate Candidate
Known for their grassroots political organizing and their drag performances, Maebe Pudlo is campaigning for California’s 26th State Senate District in 2026. Pudlo previously made history in 2022 as the first trans nonbinary person to advance to a general election for a U.S. House seat. In 2019, Pudlo was elected as the Treasurer and At-Large Representative for the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council in Los Angeles, CA. Making them the first drag queen elected to public office in the United States.
Now seeking a state legislative office, Pudlo’s candidacy continues a trend of expanding transgender and nonbinary representation in elected bodies. Their platform blends progressive priorities, including housing affordability and workers’ rights, with a commitment to uplifting marginalized voices.
5. Antonio Driver — Maryland State Senate Candidate
In Maryland, Antonio Driver is running for the State Senate in District 26. Driver currently serves as the inaugural LGBTQIA+ Liaison for Prince George’s County, a position created to amplify queer voices in local government.
An educator, advocate, and community organizer, Driver’s campaign centers on inclusive policy, public education support, and equitable access to state resources. His bid underscores a growing trend of LGBTQIA+ leaders transitioning from advocacy roles into elective office.
Across the country, LGBTQIA+ candidates are mounting competitive campaigns in diverse races from state legislatures to the U.S. Senate. Their bids come at a moment of heightened political fear within queer communities, driven by attacks from the White House, conservative state legislatures, and a right-leaning Supreme Court bench. Organizations such as the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund and Equality PAC have already endorsed numerous LGBTQIA+ contenders for 2026, signaling both the momentum behind these campaigns and the significant pool of talent stepping forward to lead.
As primaries and general elections unfold, these five candidates, among many others, are poised to shape the future of LGBTQIA+ participation in American governance. Their campaigns highlight how queer leaders are increasingly visible in electoral politics, and reflect queer people’s resilience in the face of ongoing threats.
