2023 Candidates
Tamera Carter
Tamera Carter is running for Lansing City Council At-Large in Michigan. She has served on various boards and participated in initiatives to promote financial well-being in her community. Tamera currently serves as a Branch Manager at Lake Trust Credit Union, where she demonstrates leadership by mentoring her team and focusing on enhancing member experiences. A Michigan State University graduate, Tamera has a track record of strategic vision development, financial oversight, and community involvement.
Susanna Gibson
Susanna Gibson is running for the Virginia House of Delegates, District 57. She is a dedicated Nurse Practitioner and public health expert serving the greater Richmond community. Her background has given her insight into the interconnections between health, economic stability, education, environmental justice, discrimination, and social support systems. As a delegate, she hopes to make affordable, quality healthcare available to all Virginians.
Soren Stevenson
Soren Stevenson is running for the Minneapolis City Council in Ward 8. He studied housing policy at the University of Minnesota and worked for a co-op housing nonprofit dedicated to closing homeownership gaps. As a volunteer with The Minnesota Justice Coalition, Soren advocates anti-police violence bills. His fight for justice has propelled him to run for office to make meaningful change in the city.
Russet Perry
Russet Perry is running for the Virginia Senate, 31st District. She is a former Loudon County prosecutor and CIA Officer, spending her career advocating for justice and national security. Russet is passionate about issues like the cost of living, access to healthcare, and public education. She will fiercely support safeguarding fundamental human rights and ensuring every Virginian is treated fairly.
Paul Dillon
Paul Dillon has spent two decades living and serving in Spokane, Washington’s District 2 where he seeks a position on the City Council. Currently Vice President of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and North Idaho, he also brings considerable professional experience in politics and policy to the table. Beyond his professional endeavors, Paul's community engagement includes serving on the boards of Greater Spokane Progress and the Washington Bus as well as volunteering with various organizations addressing social justice and environmental issues.
Nina Ahmad
Nina Ahmad is running for City Council At-Large in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After immigrating to the US and earning a Ph.D. in Chemistry, she became a molecular biologist, a small business owner, and a strong advocate for women and communities of color. Nina has a history of public service, including her role as Deputy Mayor for Public Engagement. She aims to bring fresh perspectives to public service in Philadelphia.
Melissa Rinehart
Melissa Rinehart is running for District 2 City Council in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She currently serves as the Education Director at Neighborhood Health Clinic, advocating for disadvantaged populations. Melissa holds a degree in political science from Indiana University Fort Wayne and a doctorate in cultural anthropology from Michigan State University. A proud native of Fort Wayne, Melissa is an active volunteer and advocate for doing what's right.
Mario Castillo
Mario Castillo is running for Houston City Council, District H in Texas. His career has been dedicated to public service, including roles in public health, as Chief of Staff for District H, and working with the Houston Health Department. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Your Houston, a nonprofit organization focused on improving the quality of life for Houstonians. Mario is native to Houston and deeply committed to serving his community.
Madison O’Malley
Madison O'Malley is running for Louisiana House, 91st District. She comes from a working-class background and is the first in her family to earn a four-year degree. As a small business owner, Madison is focused on pushing a bold, progressive agenda to improve the lives of everyday Louisianans. Her passion is fighting for economic security, education, job opportunities, affordable healthcare, and public safety.
Lisa Brown
Lisa Brown is running for Mayor of Spokane, Washington. She has been an integral part of Spokane since 1980, with roles in academia, civic organizations, and state government. She was a legislator for 20 years, including as Senate Majority Leader, working on economic development, environmental issues, and job creation. As former Director of the Washington State Department of Commerce with deep ties to Spokane, Lisa is committed to its growth and well-being.
Lily Franklin
Lily Franklin is running for the Virginia House of Delegates, District 41. She has strong ties to Southwest Virginia, having worked for Delegate Sam Rasoul in the past. She has a proven record of legislative achievements and a deep understanding of local issues. With her connections in Richmond, she aims to provide practical solutions for education, employment, healthcare, and senior care. She is dedicated to improving the community for both families and retirees alike.
Julia Marvin
Julia Marvin is running for Mayor of Thornton, Colorado. Born and raised in Colorado, Julia holds news broadcast and political science degrees from the University of Colorado Boulder. She has over a decade of experience in marketing and public outreach. If elected mayor, Julia is committed to enhancing accessibility to politics and local government through improved communication, transparency, and engagement.
Joshua Cole
We love returning candidates! Greater Than endorsed Joshua Cole in 2021 and we are excited to endorse him again this year. Joshua is a pastor and community leader. In 2019, he became the youngest person and the first Black person elected from the Fredericksburg region. Joshua is ready to continue his work on affordable housing, education, and transportation while fostering economic growth in the region. He is running to reclaim his seat in the Virginia House of Delegates, 65th District.
Josh Mandelbaum
Josh Mandelbaum is running for Mayor of Des Moines, Iowa. Josh is serving his second term as a Des Moines City Council member for the 3rd Ward. A native of Des Moines and a product of its public school system, he has previously served as a policy advisor to the Governor and Lt. Governor. He has been a leader in addressing climate change, protecting reproductive rights, advocating for affordable housing, and improving public safety.
Jade Harris
Jade Harris is running for the Virginia House of Delegates, 3rd District. She is deeply connected to the Shenandoah Valley. Jade studied political science at Mary Baldwin University and is an active member of Glasgow's Union Baptist Church. She has advocated for gun control, LGBTQ+ rights, and voter registration. Jade served as Glasgow's Vice-Mayor, supporting community projects, infrastructure improvements, and fiscal responsibility.
Irene Shin
Irene Shin is a committed advocate for her constituents, using her background in community and political organizing to work for meaningful change in the Virginia House of Delegates. As a Delegate for the 8th District, she has worked to improve government services and support vulnerable populations. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Virginia Civic Engagement Table, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering civic education and engagement across the Commonwealth.
Hwa Jeong Kim
Hwa Jeong Kim is running for St. Paul, Minnesota City Council, Ward 5. She serves as a non-profit executive director focused on voting rights and civic engagement. With her background as a Legislative Aide and community organizer, Hwa Jeong is committed to fighting for affordable housing, healthy communities, improved city services, and progressive policies.
Greg Perry
Greg Perry is running for North Charleston, South Carolina City Council. A native of North Charleston, he has devoted his life to serving his community through his nonprofit and various roles as a mentor, youth basketball coach, and volunteer chaplain. Currently working on his MBA from The Citadel and serving as program manager for an entrepreneurial program, Greg is deeply committed to bringing positive change and improved leadership to his evolving community.
Erin Mendenhall
Erin Mendenhall is running for reelection as Mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah. She has shown exceptional leadership during various crises, including earthquakes, hurricanes, and protests. Erin has improved air quality, expanded housing, tackled crime, and fostered partnerships. She prioritizes collaboration over confrontation, resulting in positive outcomes like renewable energy by 2030 and support for unsheltered residents. Erin is dedication to a brighter future for Salt Lake City.
Eliazar Posada
Eliazar Posada, the son of migrant farm workers, made history as North Carolina's first openly LGBTQ Latino elected official in May 2022 when he won a special election for Carrboro Town Council. He is the Organizing Director at Equality NC and President of Posada Strategy Consulting, assisting nonprofit and grassroots organizations. Eliazar emphasizes the importance of Affordable Housing, Equitable Public Transit, and Equitable Representation in Carrboro, striving to make space for everyone and ensure decisions reflect the entire community.
Domenica Perrone
Domenica Perrone is running for City Council At-Large in Worcester, Massachusetts. She serves as Director for the Office of Community Engagement and Volunteering at Clark University. Domenica is an Ecuadorian immigrant with a background in youth work, education, research, and public health advocacy. She is committed to addressing inequities for marginalized communities through partnerships, better youth programs, and universal education.
Danica Roem
Danica Roem is running for the Virginia House of Delegates, 13th District. With a background in journalism, Danica understands importance of hearing and understanding different perspectives. She plans to prioritize constituent input and crafting public policy through research, questioning, listening, and reporting to make meaningful changes in her community.
Cheniqua Johnson
Cheniqua Johnson is running for St. Paul, Minnesota City Council, Ward 7. She is a native Minnosotan committed to advocating and uplifting the East Side. A Univerity of Minnesota graduate, she worked as a constituent services and policy aide to Congressman Keith Ellison and County Commissioner Angela Conley. Her priorities are safe housing, climate action, economic justice, comprehensive public safety, and robust city services.
Briana Sewell
Greater Than endorsed Briana Sewell in 2021, and we are thrilled to endorse her again this year! Briana has dedicated her career to serving families in Prince William County and has firsthand experience helping with local issues. She is running for reelection for the Virginia House of Delegates, District 25. Briana has been an incredible friend to Greater Than and we’re so proud to continue to support her!
Aurin Chowdhury
Aurin Chowdhury is running for City Council, Ward 12 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is a first-generation Bengali-American who is running for public office. Aurin is committed to advocating for working families and promoting progressive change, drawing inspiration from the experiences and struggles of her family. With a background in organizing, policy work, and community building, Aurin hopes to use her expertise to address pressing issues such as wage theft, affordable housing, and small business support.
Amanda Pohl
Amanda Pohl is running for Chesterfield, Virginia Clerk of Court. She is an experienced executive leader with a diverse background in local, state, and national organizations. Her recent work includes efforts to enhance voting accessibility, support women in political leadership, aid domestic violence response agencies, and build online data systems to streamline operations. Amanda is dedicated to public service and improving her community.