LGBTQ caucus passes on CA Lt. Gov. 2026 primary endorsement

Despite it being the only race at the moment that could ensure there is an LGBTQ statewide elected leader come 2027, the affinity group for out California legislators is sitting out the 2026 primary contest for lieutenant governor. It is a disappointing decision for gay candidate Janelle Kellman, a Democrat who is trying to nail down the support of more LGBTQ leaders and organizations for her candidacy to be the Golden State’s second-in-command.

Candidates were informed in recent days of the decision by the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus not to endorse in the race to succeed Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, the Bay Area Reporter has learned. The Democrat is term-limited from running again for her statewide position and is a candidate in 2026 to be the next state treasurer.

“The Caucus reviewed all applications submitted for endorsement consideration. After careful review, the Caucus decided to forgo endorsing in the Lieutenant Governor's race at this time,” according to an email sent by a consultant for the caucus that was reviewed by the B.A.R.

Spokespeople for the affinity group have yet to respond to the B.A.R.’s request for comment about its decision.

In response to a request for comment from the B.A.R., Kellman expressed her disappointment at not receiving the affinity group’s support of her candidacy.

"I'm profoundly disappointed in the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus' decision to not endorse in this race. All over the nation, people are demanding change. They want leaders who will stand up and fight for them, for basic human rights and dignity,” stated Kellman. “The caucus chose to stay on the sidelines, which is a vote for politics as usual, against upcoming LGBTQ leaders."

Kellman, 52, is an environmental attorney who founded and is CEO of nonprofit Center for Sea Rise Solutions. The former member of the Sausalito City Council is running in a crowded field in next year’s June 2 primary where only the top two vote-getters will advance to the November ballot.

As the B.A.R.’s Political Notebook reported last week, Kellman launched her lieutenant governor bid two years ago but has struggled to break out from the pack of her better-known opponents in the race in terms of media coverage, endorsements and donations. Nonetheless, she has remained dogged in seeking the position.

The East Area Progressive Democrats based in Los Angeles endorsed her last month. Earlier this year, Kellman had secured the support of LPAC, the political action committee that helps elect LGBTQ women and nonbinary candidates to office across the U.S. 

She is now seeking endorsements from two other high-profile LGBTQ groups, Equality California and the nationally focused LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. In doing so, Kellman has been highlighting the fact that should she lose her race, then it could be 2031 before California has another LGBTQ statewide elected leader serving in Sacramento.

“I think that would be terrible, and I don't think it would represent who we are as a state and who we are as a community. I mean, it makes a lot of sense to have an LGBTQ representative statewide,” Kellman had told the B.A.R. at a fundraiser her campaign held in San Francisco in late October. “I'm the only, openly LGBTQ running for statewide office. So, I just, I think it's imperative upon us in our community to make sure we create that visibility and we continue to show up.”

Gay California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is term-limited from running again in 2026 and has not announced a candidacy for another statewide position. He has come under renewed attack for his handling of insurance issues in the state and is facing calls to resign early.

In late July, as the B.A.R.’s online Political Notes column was first to report, the LGBTQ caucus had endorsed lesbian former state senator Toni Atkins in the 2026 gubernatorial race. Her campaign was already limping along at that point, however, having failed to catch on with voters based on a number of polls.

Atkins ended up suspending her campaign in late September. Her decision to do so left Kellman as the lone LGBTQ candidate vying for one of the eight statewide constitutional offices up for grabs in 2026.

The LGBTQ caucus’ decision to sit out the lieutenant governor race, for now, is hardly shocking considering many of its members have personally endorsed Democratic candidates other than Kellman in the contest. (It could opt to weigh in on the race following the results of the primary being held next Pride Month.)

Earlier this year, termed out state Treasurer Fiona Ma, a former San Francisco supervisor with strong support in the Bay Area, announced endorsements from a majority of Assembly Democrats. Included on the list were gay Assemblymembers Mark Gonzalez (Los Angeles), José Luis Solache Jr. (Lynwood), Corey Jackson, Ph.D. (Perris), and Chris Ward (San Diego), the current chair of the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus.

Ward has yet to respond to the B.A.R.’s request for comment about the caucus’ decision to remain neutral in the race for the time being.

Two other gay caucus members subsequently endorsed Ma in the race - Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood) and gay state Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco). Gay former South Bay assemblymember Evan Low, who now leads the Victory Fund, is also listed among Ma’s endorsers on her campaign site.

Michael Tubbs, a former Newsom poverty adviser and Stockton mayor, had picked up an early endorsement of his lieutenant governor candidacy from bisexual Assemblymember Sade Elhawary (D-South Los Angeles). She is the only caucus member currently listed among his endorsers on his campaign website.

Another candidate in the race, California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, to date has no caucus members listed among his endorsers on his campaign website. A native of the North Bay city of Novato, he serves in Governor Gavin Newsom’s office.