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.”
Jahana Hayes
U.S. Congress — District 5, Connecticut
Prior to serving in Congress, Jahana Hayes was a teacher in the Waterbury Public School System in Connecticut for 14 years. She won National Teacher of the Year in 2016 and was awarded by President Barack Obama. Congresswoman Hayes is in her 4th term where she serves on the Education and Workforce Committee. She has introduced, co-led and sponsored many impactful pieces of legislation to support public school students, teachers, schools and paraprofessionals.
“I plan to run for the Chair of the Education and Workforce Committee at the House of Representatives for the 120th Congress. As Chair, I would hold extensive hearings on school shootings and those voices would be included in witness lists and vital testimony required to address this problem.”
Lauren Jewett
U.S. Congress — District 1, Louisiana
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
Bonnie Bohnsle— Bryan County Board of Education District 5, GA
Sarah Reale— Utah State School Board, District 5
Sarah Reale— Utah State School Board, District 5
Emma Curtis— Re-election, Councilwoman, Lexington, KY
Ayaan Moledina— Round Rock ISD School Board, TX, Place 3
Maryam Kahn— CT State Senate, District 2
Toni Lombardi— CT State Representative, District 118
Rob Blanchard— CT State Senate, District 28
Jennifer Massey— FL State House, District 84
Ashley Drury— MO House of Representatives, District 113
Cherri Rogers— PA House of Representatives, District 58
Krystle Johnson— Lemon Grove City Council, CA
Dr. Raquel “Rockee” Armstrong— AZ State Representative, Legislative District 13
Vinny Spotleson— NV State Legislature, Assembly District 41
Ryan Schavrien— Redlands School Board, Area 2, Loma Linda, CA
Tyler Murphy— Re-Election, FCPS School Board, Lexington, KY
Kurt VanWuyckhuyse— NY Assembly, District 134
Bobby Robertson— KS House of Representatives, District 73
Jacob Anders— US House of Representatives, Congressional District 4, TN
Selena Xie— Austin City Council District 8, TX
Jordan Herrera— US House of Representatives, Congressional District 4, MI
Mary Anito— WA State Representative, 34th District
Shannon DeLoach— SC House of Representatives, District 121
Tyler Swanson— Wake County Board of Education, District 9, NC
Bernie Scolaro— SC State House, District 118
Jillian Tozer— St. Johns County School Board, District 4, FL
Shauna Bishop— SC House District 124
Becca Dryden— Minneapolis School Board, District 5
Adam Bair— SD House of Representatives, District 10
Kimberly Fisher— MI House, District 11
Cedrick Frazier— Hennepin County Attorney, MN
Monica VanBuskirk— CO State House, District 9
Terence Clegg, Sr.— Prince George’s County Board of Education, District 2, MD
Stacy Lake— Jackson County Executive, MO
Seth Funk— MD State Delegate IC
Sebastian Ellefson— MN State Representatives, Seat 65B
Samuel Vilchez Santiago— FL State House, District 43
Lacey Villareal— AL House of Representatives, District 55
Justin Goldsman— West Orange Town Council, NJ
Josh Wallenstein— TX State Representative, House District 133
John Casselberry— Re-election, Stanislaus Union School District, Trustee Area 5, CA
Jessie Danielson— Jessie Danielson, CO Secretary of State
Jess Lewis— MN State House, District 43B
Judge Jasmin Lilly-Spells— Re-election, District Court Department 23, Clark County, NV
Jamie McGonnigal— Prince George's County Board of Education, District 3, MD
Hector Bustos— Santa Ana School Board, CA
David Johnson— KY House of Representatives – District 91
Cindy Ryu— State Senate, Legislative District 32, WA
Ashley Esposito— Re-Election, Baltimore City Board of Education, MD
Neil Polzin— City Treasurer in Covina, CA
Shelby Campbell— MI 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— TX, Congressional District 9
Brittany Black— TX House of Representatives - District 61
Oye Owolewa— Washington DC, Council At-Large
Gena Ozols— CO House of Representatives, District 3
Keith O. Williams— AL House of Representatives, District 55
Demi Palecek— IL State Representative, District 13
John Lloyd— PA State Representative, District 40
Sally Busby— IN State House, District 78
Justice Horn— Jackson County Legislature, MO, 1st District At Large
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