FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2026
CONTACT:
Jessica Delos Reyes, Director of Communications
New American Leaders/New American Leaders Action Fund
jess@newamericanleaders.org
New American Leaders Action Fund Surpasses its Record Number of Endorsed Candidates in a Year with 75 so far in 2026
NEW YORK — New American Leaders Action Fund (NALAF) today announced its third slate of endorsements for the 2026 election cycle, backing 47 New American (immigrants, children of immigrants and refugees) candidates across nine states. This slate includes one candidate for the U.S. Senate, eight for the U.S. House of Representatives, two for statewide office, five for state senate, 21 for state legislature, six for county-level posts, two for city council, one mayoral and one school board candidate.
Including this new slate of candidates, NALAF has already surpassed its record of 72 candidates endorsed in 2025, with 75 endorsees named so far in 2026, with additional rounds of endorsements to come leading up to the midterm elections.
“We are honored to roll out this slate of 47 barrier-breaking candidates who are facing competitive primaries across the country this summer,” said NALAF’s National Political Director, Anne Flomenhaft. “These candidates are running at all levels, from school board to Congress, with the shared values of challenging the status quo and protecting New American communities. With the future of our democracy and voting rights hanging in the balance, these candidates are forging a path forward and inspiring a movement that will define the next generation of American leadership.”
"I am honored to have the support of the New American Leaders Action Fund. Together, we are committed to building a democracy that truly reflects and empowers all communities,” said Congresswoman Grace Meng of California, who is running for reelection. “As the daughter of immigrants and the representative of the World’s Borough, I will continue to champion the voices, dreams and leadership of immigrants because our nation is strongest when everyone has a seat at the table.”
NALAF is committed to increasing New American representation at all levels of government by supporting bold candidates who are first- and second-generation Americans running for office. NALAF supports candidates who are grounded in community and want to create an inclusive and welcoming country for New Americans and a healthy democracy for all.
“New American Leaders taught me how to build an inclusive democracy, so I’m deeply honored to receive the endorsement of its sister organization, the New American Leaders Action Fund,” said Colorado State Senator Julie Gonzales, a New American Leaders training program alum and faculty trainer running for the U.S. Senate. “I have dedicated my career to organizing for justice in Colorado, including strengthening protections for immigrant communities, so I’m proud to have NALAF in my corner as I continue to fight for Coloradans in the U.S. Senate.”
Nevada State Assemblymember Sandra Jauregui is also a NAL training program alum and has served in the Nevada state legislature since 2016. She’s turned her sights on the Lieutenant Governor’s race. “Throughout my career, I’ve fought to create more affordable housing, more investments in public education, and more good paying jobs for hard-working Nevada families,.” Jauregui said. “I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. I’m proud to have the support of the New American Leaders Action Fund in my campaign for Lt. Governor and, just as my parents taught, I’ll keep working hard to help Nevada families achieve their American Dream.”
“I’m honored to receive the endorsement of the New American Leaders Action Fund,” said School Board Member Randy Villegas of California, who is running for U.S. House of Representatives, District 22. “As a Central Valley native and the proud son of Mexican immigrants, I grew up in a family that worked hard to make ends meet. I’ll carry this same fighting spirit with me to Congress, where I won’t stop fighting for working families like ours. The Central Valley made me who I am, and I always come back to my roots. I would be honored to be the first Latino to represent the Central Valley in Congress.”
“Friends, I am deeply honored to receive the endorsement of the New American Leaders Action Fund,” said State Representative Mariana Sandoval, who is seeking reelection to her seat in the Arizona House of Representatives. “I’ve dedicated my entire adult career to public service, and serving as a State Representative is a natural extension of that commitment to the people of Arizona. From my time as a paralegal at legal aid to my work in the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, my focus has always been on advancing the common good and serving everyday people.”
Last year, NALAF announced its previous record slate of endorsees with 72 candidates in the 2025 election cycle. Of the 69 that advanced to the General Election, 77% won their races.
NEW AMERICAN LEADERS ACTION FUND’S ENDORSED CANDIDATES (47)
View all of NALAF’s 2026 endorsed candidates
Arizona (3)
State Representative Brian Garcia for House of Representatives, District 8 *Incumbent*
Lisbeth Arescurenaga for House of Representatives, District 24
State Representative Mariana Sandoval for Arizona House of Representatives, District 23 *Incumbent*
California (7)
School Board Member Randy Villegas for U.S. House of Representatives, District 22
Saikat Chakrabarti for U.S. House of Representatives, District 11
Council Member Nithya Raman for Mayor of Los Angeles
Fatima Iqbal-Zubair for California State Assembly, District 65
President Magali Limeta for Marin County Supervisor, District 5
Estuardo Mazariegos for Los Angeles City Council, District 9
Virginia Cheung for San Francisco Board of Education
Colorado (9)
State Senator Julie Gonzales for U.S. Senate
State Representative Manny Rutinel for U.S. House of Representatives, District 8
Melat Kiros for U.S. House of Representatives, District 1
Clerk Amanda Gonzalez for Secretary of State
Board of Education Director Anne Keke for Colorado State House, District 41
Chela Garcia Irlando for Colorado State Senate, District 34
Gabriel Cervantes for Colorado General Assembly, District 31
State Representative Kenny Nguyen for Colorado State House, District 33 *Incumbent*
Neal Walia for Colorado State House, District 9
Maryland (5)
Amar Mukunda for Maryland State Senate District 39
Delegate Gabriel Acevero for Maryland House of Delegates, District 39 *Incumbent*
Raaheela Ahmed for Maryland State Senate, District 23
Fatima Barrie for Montgomery County Council, At-Large
School Board Member Karla Silvestre for Montgomery County Council, At-Large
Nevada (10)
State Assemblymember Sandra Jauregui for Nevada Lt. Governor
Alexis Esparza for Nevada State Assembly, District 1
State Assemblymember Cecelia González for Nevada State Assembly, District 16 *Incumbent*
Duy Nguyen for Nevada State Assembly, District 8 *Incumbent*
State Assemblymember Jovan Jackson for Nevada State Assembly, District 6 *Incumbent*
Maria Teresa Hank for Nevada State Assembly, District 9
Miguel Dávila for Nevada State Assembly, District 15
Shaun Navarro for Nevada State Assembly, District 34
Christian Solomon for Clark County Commissioner, District G
Minja Yan for Clark County Commission, District F
New Jersey (2)
Adam Hamawy for U.S. House of Representatives, District 12
Brian Varela for U.S. House of Representatives, District 7
New Mexico (2)
Council Member Laura Parra for New Mexico State House, District 32
Assessor Damian Lara for Office of Bernalillo County: Assessor *Incumbent*
New York (8)
State Assemblymember Claire Valdez for U.S. House of Representatives, District 7
Congressmember Grace Meng for U.S. House of Representatives, District 6 *Incumbent*
State Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas for New York State Senate, District 13
State Assemblymember Steven Raga for New York State Senate, District 12
Brian Romero for New York State Assembly, District 34
Conrad Blackburn for New York State Assembly, District 70
State Assemblymember Diana Moreno for New York State Assembly, District 36 *Incumbent*
Samantha Katan for New York State Assembly, District 37
South Dakota (1)
Zak Okuwe for Sioux Falls City Council Central District
Earlier this year, NALAF also released Running as a New American: Inside the Campaign Trail and the Battle for Local Representation, a groundbreaking white paper drawing on in-depth, post-election interviews with 10 NALAF-endorsed candidates of New American backgrounds. The white paper goes beyond win-loss tallies to capture the motivations, strategies, challenges and support systems that define the New American candidate experience — before, during and after Election Day.
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About New American Leaders Action Fund
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.
Stay connected with New American Leaders Action Fund (NALAF) by following us on social media @NALActionFund and sign up to receive updates at www.nalaf.org.
*New American Leaders and New American Leaders Action Fund are separate and distinct organizations. New American Leaders is a 501 (c)(3) organization and does not coordinate or participate in any aspect of the endorsement process, candidate or campaign support, or any other partisan political activity.