BLACK LGBTQ ELECTED OFFICIALS

According to the Victory Institute, there are a total of 55 open Black LGBTQ elected officials throughout the country. Four (4) head Mayoral offices, thirteen (13) serve in State Legislators, five (5) as Judges, and thirty (30) hold local offices (councils, school boards, etc…). Many of these extraordinary individuals are history makers, by being the first Black and/or open officials to serve in their areas. Many also serve a majority non-Black population.

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MAYORS

John David Smith, Jr.

Winchester, VA

Assumed Office: 2016

The owner and partner of Water Street Kitchen and Village Square Restaurant & V2 Bar, Mayor Smith has been very involved in the Winchester community since 2003. Smith attended both Marshall University in Huntington, WV and the University of the District of Columbia.

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Lori Lightfoot

Chicago, IL

Assumed Office: 2019

Since assuming office following her historic election, Mayor Lightfoot has undertaken an ambitious agenda of expanding opportunity and inclusive economic growth across Chicago’s neighborhoods and communities, with early accomplishments including landmark ethics and good governance reforms, worker protection legislation, and closing a record $838 million budget gap, as well as key investments in education, public safety and financial stability. Mayor Lightfoot also placed Chicago on the path to a $15 minimum wage by 2021. 

Prior to her election, Mayor Lightfoot most recently served as a senior equity partner in the Litigation and Conflict Resolution Group at Mayer Brown. Previously, she served as President of the Chicago Police Board, as well as the Chair of the Police Accountability Task Force. 

Mayor Lightfoot also served as Chief of Staff and General Counsel of the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications, interim First Deputy of the Chicago Department of Procurement Services, Chief Administrator of the Office of Professional Standards, and as Assistant United States Attorney. 

A native of Massillon, Ohio, Mayor Lightfoot has been a resident of Chicago since 1986 and lives on the Near Northwest Side with her wife Amy Eshleman and their daughter.

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Bruce Teague

Iowa City, IA

Assumed Office: 2020

The councilors named Teague the next Iowa City mayor in a second round of votes. He was first elected to the Iowa City Council in 2018 after highlighting his local ties and dedication to underrepresented communities. A Chicago native, Teague began serving on the City Council after a special election in 2018. He moved to Iowa City from Chicago at 17 years old and attended Kirkwood Community College. Teague later graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor’s in psychology and a certificate in aging studies.

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Mark Barbee

Bridgeport, PA

Assumed Office: 2018

Born in Rapid City, SD, Mark grew up a military brat, moving to Pennsylvania as a teenager and into Bridgeport in 2010. He was elected mayor in 2017 after serving one four-year term on borough council. Mark was elected to the council in 2013. He is he first openly gay African American candidate elected to serve in the Commonwealth.

Located in the heart of Montgomery County along the Schuylkill River, Bridgeport Borough is a town of about 4,600 residents nestled between the County Seat of Norristown and the commercial metropolis of King of Prussia.

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