FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 15, 2024
CONTACT: Jessica Delos Reyes
Director of Communications
jess@newamericanleaders.org
719-494-7945

Majority of New American Leaders Action Fund Endorsees Elected as Immigration Dominates Voter Concerns

NEW YORK— Despite anti-immigrant rhetoric and significant challenges to our democracy, the New American Leaders Action Fund (NALAF) persevered in the 2024 General Election, with a majority of its 59 endorsed candidates winning their races across 15 states. To date, 34 endorsees have won their races (58%), with two races yet to be called (3%). These victories bring a wave of diverse leadership that reflects the lived experiences of communities across the country.

“More New American legislators will be elected and in office during this cycle than ever before. The success of these New American candidates represents a step forward in our democracy’s journey toward more inclusive leadership,” said Ghida Dagher, CEO & President of New American Leaders Action Fund. “By stepping into leadership with courage, resilience, and the voices of their communities, our endorsed candidates are working to overcome long-standing barriers and reshape elected offices nationwide. Victories in states like Georgia, Arizona, and Michigan show that people continue to elect New Americans who represent and champion their communities' interests despite negative rhetoric around immigrants.”

New American Leaders Action Fund is committed to building a democracy that truly represents and includes all people—by engaging new voters, supporting New Americans running for office, expanding civic engagement, and reshaping the narrative around New American leadership and the electorate. Since 2018, NALAF has endorsed 233 New American candidates—117 of whom are currently serving. This year, NALAF endorsed 59 candidates across 15 states for seven types of offices, with endorsees who are 68% women, 97% Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), and 17% LGBTQ+, poised to lead at local, state, and national levels.

2024 NALAF Endorsee Wins

Our 59 endorsees represented diverse backgrounds across 15 states:

  • 34 (58%) Won

  • 23 (39%) Lost

  • 2 (3%) Not called yet

NALAF Endorsee Statistics

  • Total endorsements: 59

    • Women: 68% (40/59)

    • LGBTQIA: 17% (10/59)

    • NAL Program Alumni: 41% (24/59)

    • First-time candidates: 47% (28/59)

  • Race/ethnicity

    • Latinx or Hispanic: 37% (22/59)

    • AAPI: 36% (21/59)

    • Black or African American: 19% (11/59)

    • Middle Eastern: 5% (3/59)

    • Caucasian or White: 3% (2/59)

  • States represented: Arizona: 6, California: 9, Colorado: 1, Florida: 3, Georgia: 10, Illinois: 1, Michigan: 6, Minnesota: 3, Missouri 1, Nevada: 8, New York: 4, Ohio: 1, Texas: 2, Tennessee: 3, Utah: 1

  • Office levels:

    • U.S. House of Representatives: 2

    • State Senate: 6

    • State House: 29

    • City/Town/Village Council: 14

    • County: 2

    • Community College Board: 1

    • School Board: 5

Important Historic “Firsts” Within Our NALAF Community

Our NALAF endorsees made history this election cycle, with firsts like Georgia’s first Gen Z Latino State Representative and Tennessee’s first Democratic Latina LGBTQ legislator.

  • Arizona: Brian Garcia will be the first Indigenous, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ Indigenous person to represent his district.

  • Georgia: 

    • Mary Ann Santos made history as the first Latina elected from Henry County to the Georgia State Legislature.

    • Gabriel Sanchez will become the first Gen Z Latino in the Georgia state legislature. A community organizer and server, his team has knocked on 20,000 doors and made 15,000 calls, winning 56% of the vote in the primary against a heavily funded incumbent.

  • Illinois: Graciela Guzman will become the first Salvadoran to hold office in Illinois and the Illinois legislature.

  • Michigan: 

    • Ammara Ansari will be the first Pakistani and the Muslim woman—and potentially the youngest—to hold office on the Canton Township Board. 

    • Eleanor Moreno will be the first non-binary person elected to the Grand Rapids School Board.

  • New Mexico: Cindy Nava: A former DACA recipient, now elected to the New Mexico Legislature.

  • Nevada: 

    • Aaron Bautista will be the first Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) individual to serve on the Nevada Board of Regents. 

    • Cinthia Moore will become the first Mexican-born woman in the Nevada legislature.

    • Jovan Jackson will make history as the first bi-racial, formerly incarcerated, North Las Vegas resident to hold his seat.

  • Tennessee: Gabby Salinas will become Tennessee's first LGBTQ woman elected to the state house. Born in Bolivia, she survived childhood cancer, which brought her family to Memphis for treatment at St. Jude’s Hospital. This run is her third attempt at office, having previously lost by narrow margins. She ran unopposed in the general election after a close primary victory.

  • Utah: Verona Mauga, a small business owner and community organizer, is set to become the first Samoan legislator in Utah and the first Samoan woman elected to any legislature in the continental United States. Her advocacy includes campaigning against a school policy banning leis at graduations, which disproportionately affected Pacific Islanders.

Beyond our network, several New Americans have achieved significant electoral victories nationwide, marking historic milestones:

  • Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) will be the first Middle Eastern/North African woman to represent Arizona in the U.S. Congress.

  • Andy Kim was elected as the first Korean American Senator, representing New Jersey.

  • Yara Zokaie will be the first Iranian American elected to office in the Colorado state legislature when she joins the Colorado State House (CO-HD52).

“These candidates have shown resilience and determination, breaking new ground for future generations,” Dagher continued. “We honor and thank all those who ran, including those who were unsuccessful this time, for their courage and commitment to representing their communities. Our endorsement program focuses on uplifting leaders who reflect the diversity of the New American community. When New Americans are elected to office, they don’t just change policy—they change political systems. We are proud to support candidates and campaigns that honor the New American experience, focusing on authenticity, community, and accountability to the people.”

For more information on these newly elected officials, explore the New American Candidate Database (NACD)—a comprehensive public resource tracking all New American candidates who ran for state legislative office in the 2024 election cycle—and to stay updated on the growing impact of New American leaders across the country, sign up to learn more about the New American Leaders Action Fund (NALAF) at nalaf.org.

If you or someone you know is ready to step into leadership and would like to learn more about our current civic leader trainings, please visit our c3 partner, New American Leaders, to begin your journey in shaping an inclusive democracy.

New American Leaders Action Fund (NALAF) was launched in 2018 to help build a democracy that represents and includes all people. By supporting New Americans as they run for office, engage voters, expand civic engagement, and conduct original research, NALAF champions leadership that truly reflects the fabric of our nation.

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