SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, joins LGBTQ+ Victory Fund today in announcing the endorsement of Steve Hansen for Mayor of Sacramento. Incumbent Mayor Darrell Steinberg announced on May 25 that he will not seek re-election in 2024.
“Now more than ever, we need bold, battle-tested leaders like Steve Hansen fighting for LGBTQ+ equality and justice for all. Steve has dedicated his career to that fight — to ensuring that everyone has a shot at success and no one is left behind. Equality California is proud to support Steve Hansen for mayor of Sacramento, and we are committed to helping him get elected,” said Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang.
“LGBTQ+ Victory Fund is thrilled to endorse Steve for Sacramento Mayor. As the city’s first out gay Councilmember, Steve worked diligently to create good-paying jobs, combat the city’s homelessness crisis and advance equality for all. We are confident he’ll bring that same spirit and commitment to City Hall once he makes history in 2024. So many LGBTQ+ rights are fought for and won at the local level, which is why it’s imperative we elect exceptional LGBTQ+ leaders like Steve to public office,” said LGBTQ+ Victory Fund President & CEO Mayor Annise Parker.
“I’m excited to have the support of Equality California and LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, organizations that work tirelessly to ensure that LGBTQ+ people everywhere have a voice in our democracy. While some across our country seek to divide neighbors and communities, I know that we can continue to make Sacramento a welcoming, inclusive city that celebrates our diversity. That’s one of the reasons I’m running for mayor, and I look forward to working with Equality California and LGBTQ+ Victory Fund to build a brighter future for all,” said Steve Hansen.
Hansen is a community advocate, a former Sacramento City Councilmember and a father, who was first elected in 2012, making history as the city’s first openly gay Councilmember. During his time on the Council, Steve was a leading voice for smart growth, multi-modal transportation, safer communities, climate action, economic development, and innovation in government service. He helped Sacramento recover from the Great Recession, create good-paying union jobs, invest in new arts and educational facilities, increase protections for LGBTQ+ employees and residents, ban flavored vaping products, make streets and communities safer, enact protections for tenants against excessive rent increases and unfair evictions, combat homelessness, and build more affordable housing. Previously, he served as the Legislative Director for Equality California, and is currently a Managing Partner at Lighthouse Public Affairs in Sacramento. Steve and his partner Michael have two young sons, ages 3 and 5, and two dogs.
For a complete list of Equality California’s endorsements, please visit eqca.org/elections.
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Equality California is the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. We bring the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. www.eqca.org
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund works to achieve and sustain equality by increasing the number of out LGBTQ+ elected officials at all levels of government while ensuring they reflect the diversity of those they serve. Since 1991, Victory Fund has helped thousands of LGBTQ+ candidates win local, state and federal elections. www.victoryfund.org
