2026 ENDORSed Candidates
Amber Goodwin
Austin City Council — District 1, Texas
“Educators should be central voices in conversations about gun violence prevention because they are often the first to see the effects of trauma and instability in young people’s lives. My mother was a teacher, and growing up I watched how educators support students far beyond academics. Teachers and school staff see when students are carrying the weight of violence, grief, or instability long before those challenges appear in official systems. When educators are recognized as key public safety partners, we strengthen both our schools and our communities.”
Lauren Jewett
Louisiana, US Congress - District 1
As a public school teacher for over 16 years who has been personally and profoundly impacted by gun violence—losing four students and witnessing the lasting trauma it brings into our schools, Lauren understands, firsthand, how gun violence harms children, families, and educators. She is committed to bringing these stories to Congress to fight for common-sense gun safety.
Are you running for office?
Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence Action (TUA) is dedicated to recognizing candidates running for local, state, and federal office who support common sense and evidence-informed gun violence prevention (GVP) legislation and practices that will make our schools and communities safer. We proudly name these candidates our "Honor Roll" Candidates.
Please note: Although the Teachers Unify Action Honor Roll distinction is not an "endorsement," it's a way to recognize and amplify candidates committed to raising the voices of educators on the issue of gun violence and taking action to make school communities safer. Endorsements my be given after careful review by our team on a case-by-case basis.
Complete our Teachers Unify Action Questionnaire.
2026 Honor Roll Candidates
Miriam Mboya— King County Council, District 2, WA
Kimberly Fisher— Michigan House, District 11
Cedrick Frazier— Hennepin County Attorney, MN
Monica VanBuskirk— Colorado State House, District 9
Sean Camacho— Colorado State Representative, House District 6
Terence Clegg, Sr. — Prince George’s County Board of Education, District 2, MD
Stacy Lake — Jackson County Executive, MO
Seth Funk — Maryland State Delegate IC
Sebastian Ellefson — Minnesota State Representatives, Seat 65B
Samuel Vilchez Santiago — Florida State House, District 43
Lacey Villareal — Alabama House of Representatives, District 55
Justin Goldsman — West Orange Town Council, NJ
Josh Wallenstein — Texas State Representative, House District 133
John Casselberry — Re-election, Stanislaus Union School District, Trustee Area 5, CA
Jessie Danielson — Jessie Danielson, Colorado Secretary of State
Jess Lewis — Minnesota State House, District 43B
Judge Jasmin Lilly-Spells — Re-election to District Court Department 23, Clark County, NV
Jamie McGonnigal — Prince George's County Board of Education, District 3, MD
Heidi Henkel — Colorado State House, District 33
Hector Bustos — Santa Ana School Board, CA
David Johnson — Kentucky House of Representatives – District 91
Cindy Ryu — State Senate, Legislative District 32, WA
Ashley Esposito — Re-election to Baltimore City Board of Education, MD
Andrés Carrera — Colorado Senate, District 34
Neil Polzin — City Treasurer in Covina, CA
Shelby Campbell — Michigan Congressional District 13
Markus Ceniceros — Littleton Elementary School District Governing Board, Avondale, AZ
David Plotts — Wicomico Board of Education, MD
Walt Cook — Troy School Board, MI
Leticia Gutierrez — Texas, Congressional District 9
Brittany Black — Texas House of Representatives - District 61
Oye Owolewa — Washington DC, Council At-Large
Gena Ozols — Colorado House of Representatives, District 3
Keith O. Williams — Alabama House of Representatives, District 55
Demi Palecek — Illinois State Representative, District 13
John Lloyd — Pennsylvania State Representative, District 40
Sally Busby — Indiana State House, District 78
Justice Horn — Jackson County Legislature, MO, 1st District At Large
Ivan Diaz — MI Senate District 29
Lauren Hensley (Winner) — Cabell County Board of Education in Huntington, WV
Liz Winer (Winner) — Cheney, WA, School Board Director, District 2
Deyanira Nevarez Martinez (Winner) — Lansing City, MI, Council Ward 2
Amanda Quillin (Winner) — Chesapeake, Virginia, School Board
Jonathan Redeker (Winner) — NY, Orange County Legislator, District 2