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.
Greg Jackson
Washington DC, Council At-Large
As a survivor of gun violence who has mentored young people in neighborhoods deeply impacted by shootings, Greg has seen firsthand how violence compounds existing inequities in housing, education, health, and economic opportunity.
If elected, Greg will ensure educators have a structured and meaningful seat at the table in public safety discussions by convening cross-sector working sessions, strengthening formal consultation between schools and the Council, and requiring agencies to show how educators shape violence‑prevention programs. Effective, lasting safety depends on schools being full partners—not sidelined voices.
Dan Goldman
New York’s 10th Congressional District
Dan collaborates closely with educators and leaders working at the intersection of gun violence prevention and education on vital initiatives, including the movement to amplify the life-saving act of secure firearm storage. As a result of Teachers Unify Action’s collaboration with Dan’s team, the NYC Public Schools (the largest school district in the United States) has shared best practices for storing firearms two years in a row, reaching more than one million families per year.
A seat at the table for educators in this space is at the heart of our mission, and Dan has been a strong ally in that effort.
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
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, Maryland
Lauren Hensley — Cabell County Board of Education in Huntington, WV
Walt Cook — Troy School Board, Michigan
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
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