PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, released the following statement Monday from Political Director Tom Temprano after Palm Springs City Councilmember and Assembly District 47 candidate Christy Holstege announced that she had conceded the race, which was decided by a margin of just 85 votes out of 170,000 cast:
“We couldn’t be prouder to have supported Christy through this hard-fought and historic campaign. Though she may have fallen just short of making history again this year, there is no doubt that Christy has inspired countless LGBTQ+ young people, women and new moms — throughout California and across the country — to run for office and fight for change in their communities. The impact of her candidacy should not be underestimated, and we know that she will continue this important legacy in the years to come. Equality California will be right by her side.”
Christy Holstege made history in 2021 as the nation’s first out bisexual mayor and came closer this year to becoming the first out bi woman elected to the California Legislature than any previous candidate.
Equality California endorsed Holstege’s campaign in January 2022 and made her campaign one of the organization’s top 2022 political priorities — part of a successful statewide push to achieve 10% LGBTQ+ representation in the California Legislature. Equality California Political Action Committee contributed $9,800 directly to Holstege’s campaign and another $75,000 to an independent expenditure campaign supporting her candidacy. The organization has supported Holstege throughout her political career, including her successful campaigns for Palm Springs City Council in 2017 and 2020.
###
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
