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Project LPAC 2024 Research on LPAC Candidates

Joanna Hoffman • February 21, 2025

Project lpac 2024 Research surveys candidates

In 2024, Project LPAC worked with Lake Research Partners to survey current and past LPAC candidates (LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary people) about their unique experiences and challenges running for political office. You can read the full report here, and some key findings are below:


What Sets LPAC Candidates Apart


Mission-Driven: LPAC candidates are motivated by the political landscape, pressing community issues, and their opponents. Notably, candidates of color often cite being asked by someone in their community as their top reason for running.

Making History: Over 60% of LPAC-endorsed candidates are pioneers, being the first openly LGBTQ or nonbinary individuals to run for their office. This is especially significant for people of color (79%), candidates under 50 (70%), and current officeholders (64%).


Why LPAC's Support is Critical


Challenges in Campaigning: Seventy-six percent of our candidates believe it is harder for LGBTQ female and nonbinary candidates to campaign compared to LGBTQ male candidates.


The Role of LPAC: Financial support is a lifeline, with candidates frequently citing LPAC’s contributions as pivotal in running their campaigns.


Looking to 2025 and Beyond


Encouraging Persistence: Despite not winning, 64% of non-elected candidates are willing to run again, with 40% being very willing.


Positive Campaign Experiences: An overwhelming 79% of our candidates reported a positive experience running for office, with many eager to join a community of LGBTQ and nonbinary individuals for support (80%).


Stay tuned for our 2025 research!


"LGBTQ Women as a Progressive Force" - Project LPAC's latest in Gender on the Ballot

October 29, 2020
In 2019, Project LPAC released research showing that LGBTQ women were among the most Democratic-leaning groups in the U.S., and enthusiastic in donating their time and money to progressive causes. This year’s 2020 research, again conducted by Project LPAC with Lake Research Partners (LRP), delved even deeper on LGBTQ women and confirmed those results. LGBTQ women – a voting bloc of almost 6.7 million people* – are overwhelmingly Democratic, are highly engaged with the issues the country faces today, and above all else are superstar volunteers, activists, contributors, advocates and voters for progressive candidates and causes. The survey shows that one key to tapping into LGBTQ women’s vast appetite for taking political action is for organizations, candidates, and campaigns to speak out on the issues LGBTQ women care about most – racism, healthcare, the environment, LGBTQ rights, gun control, and abortion access. Read the rest of “LGBTQ Women as a Progressive Force” here .

Ms. Magazine – Democrats Are Overlooking a Key Demographic: LGBTQ Women

October 19, 2020
Project LPAC Senior Research Director Lisa turner is quoted extensively in a new article published in Ms. Magazine, “Democrats Are Overlooking a Key Demographic: LGBTQ Women.” From the article: Lisa Turner is political director of LPAC, the only national organization working to elect LGBTQ women to political office. And she knows how to make that happen. A longtime Democratic organizer, Turner’s had a hand in electing some of America’s most prominent LGBTQ women including Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Now, she and LPAC are leading the fight to make 2020 the year more LGBTQ women are elected than ever before. Read the full story by Jim Grossfeld at Ms. Magazine here .

Project LPAC's Lisa Turner Featured by Edge Media Network – America's Progressive Engine: LGBTQ Women

October 8, 2020
AMERICA'S PROGRESSIVE ENGINE: LGBTQ WOMEN Lisa Turner believes that "voter turnout will be epic." As Senior Director of Research and Political Engagement of LPAC (formerly known as the Lesbian Political Action Committee), Turner's forecast is founded in facts, trends, research, and expertise on voter behaviors, specifically that of LGBTQ women. Read the full story from Edge Media Network here .
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